The 11-year-old who helped to catch two thieves

Scheepers helped catch two criminals on 15 April, while he and his mother drove past a business that was being robbed, Witbank News reports.

“We were on OR Tambo Street from the R555 [in Witbank]. In the left lane, there were two big trolleys, and I concentrated so hard not to hit them. While I was changing lanes, Rosley saw two criminals stealing goods from a business. He just screamed, ‘Mom, they’re breaking in!’”, explained Maureen Scheepers.

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Mrs Scheepers said that the criminals were behind the business’s property, with one man inside the business’s property, and the other outside. They were stealing metal. Maureen added that they were collecting scrap metal from inside the business’s dustbin to put inside their trolleys.

The suspects who were arrested on 15 April.

“They were busy passing the goods to each other over the wall. I turned into another street and told security that two men were busy robbing the business. I also called Highveld Park’s community leaders for backup. Johan Bekker trapped the criminals, but one ran in the direction of the R555, while the other attempted to escape towards Rand Carbide. The first suspect was caught in a nearby veld, and the other was caught by JP Moore. They were escorted back to the business’s property where the crime took place, where police were called to the scene,” Maureen said.

Steven King from the South African Community Crime Watch in KwaZulu-Natal said that it was vital that the youth got involved in fighting crime.

“Not in the way that they would put their lives at risk, but in Rosley’s case he was aware of his surroundings and immediately notified his mother of a crime in progress. Children must never take on any crime-related situation on their own, and must call someone they trust for help. We want to commend children like Rosley on a job well done. It is important for the youth to be aware of the environment they are growing up in, so that they are aware of criminals as they grow older,” said King.

King said a reward of R500 was paid to Rosley, to motivate other children to become active in fighting crime.

Johan Korff, the manager of the business that was being robbed, personally thanked Rosley.

Rosley Scheepers and Johan Korff.

“We bought him a rugby ball that he asked for specifically. Just to say thank you, as a reward for such a heroic task,” Korff said.

“Mom, now I know why you do the job that you do. I feel good,” Rosley said proudly.

This article was translated from Afrikaans.

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