In the spirit of ubuntu, the councillor of ward 17, Thandisa Khalipha, joined hands with the Thabong SAPS Social Crime Prevention unit to offer assistance to a man who lost everything in a shack fire, and to honour the brave girl who rescued him.
Menyatso Mahahabane (52) was saved by the heroic deeds of Moleboheng Nthapo (18), who without hesitation rushed to drag him from his burning shack.
Sgt Tshidi Xaba and Sgt Ntombi Twala visited the 18-year-old heroine on Friday (08/07), while Khalipha and a group of community workers were cleaning up the area where the fire occurred.
During the visit the police paid homage to the heroine, and pledged assistance to the victim. Khalipha too has pledged to help the victim rebuild his house.
Nthapo, who lives behind the burned shack, was called by the councillor and the two police officers.
They thanked her for the bravery she displayed when she rescued Mahahabane. They gave her a gift pack containing cosmetics.
Nthapo was declared a hero by Khalipa during a mass meeting in Thabong. The councillor told residents that ward 17 was blessed to have selfless people such as Nthapo.
“She went to save the life of another person without fear or hesitation,” he said.
According to Nthapo, the fire started on Tuesday, 5 July, at about 19:00.
She was standing with her sister behind their own home, warming herself at a fire, when they saw that a fire had started in Mahahabane’s shack across the way from them.
Nthapo said she ran to a neighbour’s house for help, but when she realised that the shack was burning fiercely and people were not responding, she went to kick the door open, went inside and found Mahahabane asleep on his bed.
“I pulled him out of the burning shack to safety,” said Nthapo.
She said she was happy that she could save Mahahabane’s life, but she was sad that he sustained burn wounds.
Khalipa thanked the members of Thabong SAPS Social Crime Prevention for their support and their kind gesture.
“There are people with good hearts out there,” he said.
Community members who want to assist Khalipha can contact him on 068-055-6718, or drop donations off at the Thabong SAPS Social Crime Prevention offices.
