RESIDENTS MAKE CITIZEN ARREST

On Tuesday, 10 May 2022, Gender Based Violence Coordinator Sergeant Pitsi Makgatho with her assistant Constable Malebo Sefala received a call ftom a concerned resident of Hospitalview, informing her that they have arrested a lady suspected of neglecting a child.

Sergeant Makgatho went to the scene where she was informed that an unknown lady was seen putting a parcel in front of the garage door in one of the houses. The residents became suspicious when they saw the lady going inside that yard as they knew the owners are at work.

Seeing that she was spotted by the community, the lady vanished, leaving the parcel. The suspicious neighbours went to check the parcel, only to find that is a baby estimated to be about few weeks old.

The community immediately called the police and the child was handed ove to FCS for further medical attention and placement to the welfare.

The community did not rest and later spotted the lady who deserted the child, Sergeant Makgatho with her crew Cst Sefala responded and arrested the 27 year old female.

She will appear soon in the Tembisa magistrates court to answer a charge of Child Neglect.

The community of Hospitalview thanked Sergeant Makgatho for the community outreach campaigns as they said her contact numbers including those of Communication Officer and Social Crime Prevention are always given out and are always reachable anytime of the day.

Sergeant Makgatho said she will never be lenient to parents who ill treat their children. ” I will always make sure that the law takes its course” vowed Sergeant Makgatho.

This is the second incident of child neglect in less than a month, on 28 April 2022 two friends were also arrested by the Tembisa police and have since granted bail pending further investigation.

RELATED ARTICLE: TWO FRIENDS ARRESTED FOR CHILD NEGLECT

Compiled by the Communication Officer of the Tembisa SAPS, Constable Patricia Mgijima.