Chatsworth police help rebuild pensioner’s home after fire
One of the residents contacted Cpt Cheryl Pillay at Chatsworth SAPS, where she was informed of the plight of the families, especially the granny, who was sleeping in the cold, chilly winter weather without windows and curtains.
After surviving a flat fire, a Westcliff pensioner and widow was brought to tears when Chatsworth SAPS, Jabula Hardware, and Good Samaritans came together to rebuild her home.
Just over a month ago, huge flames engulfed the home where five families witnessed shattering windows and burning walls. Soon, realising that 71-year-old Naidoo was still in her flat asleep, as the fire engulfed her unit, some fearless residents managed to pull the pensioner out through the kitchen window to her safety. At the break of dawn, the families were able to witness the devastating effects of the fire, which left them in tears.
One of the residents contacted Cpt Cheryl Pillay at Chatsworth SAPS, where she was informed of the plight of the families, especially the granny, who was sleeping in the cold, chilly winter weather without windows and curtains. “This humanitarian cry for help tugged at the heartstrings of personnel at the Chatsworth SAPS. With this call for assistance, compassion coupled with action gave way to contact Moulana Tariq Mohamed, the chairman of the Phoenix Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum, to assist with the renovation of this flat and home. Within minutes of the appeal, I received confirmation that Jabula Hardware would provide the necessary building material to renovate the home,” explained Cpt Pillay.
Through the years, the Chatsworth police station has stayed true to the vision of the late president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who called on society to engage in nation-building programmes with the aim of bringing basic human rights to society.
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His example of tenacity, coupled with a dream, brings hope to society, knowing that it is within our power to change the trajectory of the world. Taking a page out of Tata Madiba’s legacy resonates well with personnel at the police station where the team engages in activities not just on Mandela Day but throughout the year.
Commencing with renovations, both Cpt Cheryl Pillay and Sgt Bongi Dlungwane traded their uniforms for overalls, before joining the residents in revitalising the block of flats. Residents, young and old, put their backs into the mammoth task, as they worked hand-in-hand to give the pensioner, Saletchee Naidoo, a place to sleep once more.
“Heeding to this clarion call to make a difference, Moulana Tariq Mohamed purchased new linen for Naidoo to feel warm and safe in her newly renovated home. May Mother Naidoo, who lives alone after losing her son and husband years ago, know that she has other children and she is not alone in the world. Her eyes filled with tears of joy when the station commander of Chatsworth SAPS, Brig De Villiers, showed her the new home. She lifted her hands in gratitude, thanking police, the director at Jabula Hardware, Dawood Dhooma, Moulana Mohamed, and the residents for their blessing to her. Many were left in tears to know that this dream was made possible through a random act of kindness coupled with compassion,” said Cpt Pillay.
Additionally, hampers were handed to the six families who were affected by the fire.
“We believe, as members of the SAPS, that these imprints will remain embedded in the hearts of all that police are set apart, summoned, commissioned, and then appointed by God to be vessels of hope and courage. God bless the handmaidens and servants, who live daily to fly the South African flag with pride,” concluded Cpt Pillay.
