One of Welkom’s own men in blue has been honoured for his bravery and determination in saving countless people from drowning in the notorious pan alongside the R30 road between Allanridge and Bothaville.
Maj. Gen. Lerato Molale, district commissioner of Lejweleputswa, applauded Sgt Marais Geldenhuys for exceptional acts of bravery in rescuing people from drowning in the pan since the beginning of the year.
This stretch of road, known as the “High accident zone”, was flooded by heavy rains in January and more than 25 people have lost their lives here since.
Several of these accidents were reported to the Allanridge SAPS – and Geldenhuys, who regards diving as a hobby, has been risking his life to aid people in distress, often at night.
“Whenever he is contacted regarding the accidents, he does not hesitate to take his personal diving equipment and his private vehicle to offer assistance to those in need,” said Sgt Fikiswa Matoti, a spokesperson for the SAPS.
In one of the accidents, which gained national attention, an Intercape bus overturned and ended up in the pan of water.
Geldenhuys was part of the team who rescued 80 people from drowning. At the time of this accident Geldenhuys was on leave, but he did not hesitate to assist.
One of the many people he has helped to rescue is the station commander of the Vierfontein SAPS, Capt. Jackie Abrahams. Geldenhuys rescued his colleague from sure drowning when his vehicle overturned and ended up in this stretch of water.
In a recent accident that occurred in the early hours of 23 April, at 01:45, Geldenhuys received a call about a 22-seater minibus that had plunged into the water.
He rescued three people from drowning and assisted in retrieving nine bodies from the water.
“This member’s courage and capability in saving the lives of vulnerable people will never go unnoticed,” said Molale.
