Police in Algoa Park opened their hearts – and their wallets – to a woman from North-West who was stranded in Port Elizabeth.
According to Col Priscilla Naidu, police spokesperson, the 27-year-old woman arrived at the community service centre at SAPS Algoa Park on Wednesday, 25 November with her bags and requested help as she had no money or food to eat.
“She indicated that she was sent by an agent from North West to Port Elizabeth where she will meet other people and they will start work for an insurance company in Port Elizabeth,” Naidu said.
On her arrival, she called the numbers that she received from the so-called agent, but no one answered. “She then went to the police station for assistance. Her plight touched the hearts of the members on duty and they made every effort to try and get her into a shelter, however, all the shelters were full.”
Her family was contacted and they indicated that they have no money for a return bus ticket as no one in the family was employed. The woman then spent the night at the police station and the members on duty provided her with a meal and a warm blanket.
“The following morning police members rallied together and donated cash to purchase a bus ticket back to North West, as well as food for the trip. The woman was extremely appreciative of the generosity and care given to her by members at SAPS Algoa Park,” Naidu added.
Before she left she thanked the members and said “I always heard that our SAPS officers are heroes and heroines and today I got to witness all of that. I thank you all for not abandoning me in my time of need. If it wasn’t for you I would have been raped, killed or God knows what could have happened to me – but I found angels. To all of you I am grateful,” the woman said.
Acting Mount Road Cluster Commander, Brig Thandiswa Kupiso expressed her appreciation to the members of SAPS Algoa Park for ensuring the safety of this young woman.
“Any person that walks into a police station must be treated with respect and dignity. While the safety of our women and children are a priority, I also want to caution young women to guard against being lured into promises of lucrative jobs by persons they do not know or meet through social media. Criminals often prey on the innocent and vulnerable and those caught in their snare could be walking into very dangerous situations.
“We are glad that this woman came to the police station for help and received the excellent service from our dedicated and compassionate members,” added Kupiso.
