Border Officers Team Up to Safely Welcome 'Baby SAPS and Customs'

Photo Credit: South African Police Service via Facebook

One baby boy just couldn’t wait for his mom to cross the SA-Mozambique border to make his arrival, sending her into labour, where SAPS and SARS officials traded their roles for midwives to deliver a border miracle.

Mpumalanga, South Africa (06 January 2026) – It isn’t every day you witness the police and tax officials team up for a delivery, but on 30 December, the Lebombo border became the site of a small miracle.

Following a call for help from the Buzaphi Team, SAPS and SARS officials stepped far beyond their usual duties to assist an expectant mother in labour at the Lebombo Port of Entry.

Sergeant Tshidi Mokoena and Constable Sandiso Nyathi of the South African Police Service, alongside Jabu Nkuna from the South African Revenue Service, didn’t hesitate to step in.

Trading their official roles for those of impromptu midwives, they worked together to ensure a safe and healthy birth.

Thanks to their selfless actions and quick thinking, the world welcomed a healthy new baby boy just after 7 am, now affectionately known as “Baby SAPS and Customs”.

SAPS confirmed that both the mother, Marluz Albino Tovela, and her baby were in good health. They were later transported by ambulance to Tonga Hospital for further medical care.

While they may have started their shift as officers and agents, they ended it as a family of heroes, proving that the most important duty of all is looking after one another.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the officials for their exceptional conduct.

He stated that policing is not only about combating crime, but also about serving communities with care, compassion, and humanity when the need arises. Mkhwanazi further applauded the officials for their outstanding commitment and dedication.