WESTERN CAPE. – Three officials of the City of Cape Town have been honoured for their brave actions during three separate incidents, after they went above and beyond their duty to help people and animals in need.
Alderman JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, paid tribute to metro police constable Moeneeb Coetzee, LEAP official Brent Williams and senior inspector Deirdre Thomas.
Coetzee escorted a woman, Micaela Katz, who was in premature labour through heavy traffic to a hospital in August, where she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
Williams ran into the sea at Monwabisi Beach in September to rescue a young boy who was drowning. He removed his bulletproof jacket and waded into the water in his service boots, bringing the boy safely back to shore.
Thomas stopped in Belhar when she saw a dog lying in the road that appeared to be dead. She removed the animal from the road and contacted the SPCA, but the dog could not be saved.
Smith said all three officials showed extraordinary courage during difficult circumstances. "They simply saw a situation that required their help and took action," Smith said. Coetzee was given the chance at a surprise gathering to meet the baby boy he had helped get to the hospital in time with his mother. The parents said doctors confirmed that the quick action helped save their son's life.
Members of the public can contact the City of Cape Town's Public Emergency Communications Centre on 021 480 7700 in an emergency.
Daniel and Micaela Katz together with Const. Moeneeb Coetzee
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
