Belmont police go extra mile to change a child’s future
IN A HEARTWARMING act of dedication, SAPS officers from the Belmont police station have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that an eight-year-old girl secures her rightful place in school, paving the way for a brighter future.
According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock, the officers - Warrant Officer Glenda Qashu, Sergeant Lawrence Mogorane and Constable Larato Makapela - first encountered the young girl on March 16, 2024, while conducting their duties in the Belmont area. She had been living with her grandparents on a remote farm, but without a birth certificate, she was unable to attend school.
Determined to help, the officers - attached to the Belmont Visible Policing and Social Crime Prevention units - stepped in and rallied various government departments, including Health, Social Development, Education and Home Affairs, along with Sassa in Douglas.
Their combined efforts led to the successful registration of the child’s birth, securing her documentation and ensuring her enrolment at a Hopetown school for the 2025 academic year.
But their kindness didn’t stop there. The girl, now living with her aunt in Hopetown, was accompanied by the SAPS members on her first day of school on Monday, February 10 - a day she will never forget.
A local hair salon also treated her to a fresh new hairstyle, while the police officers purchased her school uniform and supplies, ensuring she had everything she needed to start her schooling journey with confidence.
The Northern Cape SAPS management has commended the officers for their selfless efforts, recognising their commitment to uplifting their community and changing a child’s life for the better.
The Belmont SAPS has meanwhile committed to continuing to monitor the child’s progress and well-being, ensuring that she thrives in her new environment.
