Going on duty last Thursday, Joburg Metro cop Rose Sithole had no idea what her shift would hold. But when she got an urgent call from the camera operator in their Intelligent Operations Command Centre (IIOC), reporting that there was a woman who looked like she was going inTO labour on Henry Nxumalo Street in the Joburg CBD, she sprang into action.
“When officer Sithole arrived on the scene she noticed that the 30-year-old woman who was with her male partner was pregnant and was indeed going into labour right there on the sidewalk,” reports JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla.
Posted by City of Joburg on Saturday, September 19, 2020
Apparently, a mom herself, she must have immediately realised that the woman was in an advanced stage of labour, and there would be no time to get her to a hospital in time for the delivery.
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Posted by City of Joburg on Saturday, September 19, 2020
Xolani adds that she then asked a colleague to get a blanket so they could try make the woman more comfortable, but before he got back, a healthy baby boy has already been welcomed into the world on the Joburg street.
An ambulance arrived shortly afterwards to take the mom and her precious little bundle to the Coronation hospital to be checked.
Posted by City of Joburg on Saturday, September 19, 2020
According to Xolani, the mom and baby were discharged the following day and are “doing well”.
“It’s so good to be able to share a joyful story in these exceptionally difficult times,” he adds.
The city reacts
The City of Johannesburg shared the good news in a post on social media over the weekend, with many congratulating the officer for going “beyond her call of duty”, helping a woman in her time of need.
- “There’s still angels among us” – Susan Penney Smith
- “Well done officer, serving Jhb with pride” – Grant Goddard
- “A lady and an officer with a heart of gold” – Sharon Ne Schutte Barnard
- “Well done to the officer for ensuring a safe delivery for mom and baby” – Lizelle Heuer
Content editor and writer on Living & Loving, Sonya has over 25 years experience in the media industry. She edited Living & Loving magazine for six-and-a-half years and is the former editor of Longevity magazine. She’s won numerous media industry awards and is passionate about the health and wellbeing of moms and children.
Outside of work, she enjoys trying out recipes, reading crime mysteries and thrillers, practicing yoga, and exploring new destinations.
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