James Kirsten was robbed a year ago but recently got a call from a SAPS officer to let him know she had his licence; she even posted it back using her own funds.
Durban, South Africa (15 August 2022) – James Kirsten was working as a guide along the Orange River last year. One terrible day, he got robbed, and his wallet was stolen. Deeply frustrated, he went through the process of cancelling his cards and reapplying for everything.
He moved on from the moment, and life carried on. That was until his father received a phone call from Warrant Officer Maree in Kakamas, who had been given his licence that was found near a dump site.
According to Warrant Officer Maree, a private security company employee had seen it and went to hand it in at the local South African Police Service (SAPS) station. Warrant Officer Maree offered to post it back to the family.
When it arrived at the Kirsten home, Tracey, James’ mother, shared that it also contained a letter from the officer, and it was posted as a registered letter to ensure it arrived safely. This meant Warrant Officer Maree paid for the postage from her own pocket.
“A couple of weeks ago, my hubby got a phone call from a friendly officer at Kakamas Police Station. A private security company had found James’ drivers licence in a dump outside the town, and handed it in at the police station. This officer took the trouble to phone us to tell us, and then offered to mail the licence to us. She took the trouble to type an accompanying letter, and find an envelope. She took the trouble to go to the post office, register the letter, and pay postage of R39,70.”
Tracey was so moved by the gesture that she shared it on social media to give a shoutout to the officer and show that there are some genuinely selfless SAPS officers out there.
“Thank you Warrant Officer Maree. People like you restore our faith in humanity and our SAPS. This is our South Africa” – Tracey Kirsten, James’ mother.