SAPS spoils children in Lapa
Fifty-seven children, aged between seven and 12 years, enjoyed a Children's Project fun day at the Springs Police Station lapa, on Tuesday
The idea of this project is to give back to disadvantaged children and it was initiated by Brig Thandeka Gwebushe, the station commander.
She invited Genl Girly Mumsy Mbele, the newly elected Ekurhuleni East cluster commander, based in Tsakane, to the event.
Capt Johannes Ramphora, police spokesman, says Gwebushe had the idea of donating food parcels to the children.
The children were from Werda Primary School, Endicott Primary School, Payneville Primary School and Vukucing Primary School.
Not only did each child receive a food parcel and a blanket, but they were treated to breakfast as well, which was served by the police.
The children were intrigued by the obedience of the dogs of the EMPD K9 Unit.
EMPD officer Attie Fourie demonstrated what the tasks of each of the dogs are.
His dog, Raka, enjoyed all the rubs and pats on the head from the children, who weren’t too scared to touch the dog.
“Allowing the children to touch the dog is just another way of assuring them that the dogs are trained to perform a task and not to bite them,” said Fourie.
The excitement among the children grew rapidly, as soon as they heard they were being offered a trip around the soccer field in a Casspir and Nyala vehicle.
The children ran in different directions when the police helicopter landed in the middle of the open grass field at the police station.
Although they weren’t allowed to get into the helicopter, they were still given the opportunity to see what it looks like inside.
Their excitement grew even more when they went back to the lapa to play on the jumping castle.
Gwebushe said the project invitation would be extended to other schools as well.
“Thank you to our sponsors Nick Monare, Kenneth Pretorius, Gert Vermaak and Hennie Vermaak from Auxano Seventh Day Adventist Church, Theo Marais the chaplain of the End Time Messengers Ministry and Henry and Margie Harber from Wild Wild Guardians for making this project possible,” said Gwebushe.
