The water situation in the town is critical with taps that have already dried up in some areas of the Maokeng township.
Conrad Fouchè, a member off the Thabong police station’s Social Crime Prevention Unit, says water shortages and drought conditions affect all. Hence the decision by members of the station, which has previously scooped awards for the best in the country, to collect money and/or water from people and the other nine stations in the cluster. He says more than 8000 litres of water have been collected.
Fouchè says they decided to get involved because they are also members of the community. He says they identified the need for water and got involved because it is the right thing to do. Don’t sit back and wait for others to get involved. He says police officers are not only there for law enforcement purposes. Lending a helping hand to communities in need is what it is all about, says Fouchè.
The clean drinking water will be donated to elderly homes, the local hospital and primary schools in Kroonstad and Maokeng today.
Fouchè says water was collected from neighbours, friends and family members. Businesses from around Welkom were also involved. They are: Blue fountain, Thepa trading, Eagle Towing, Senwes, Matjhabeng Municipality and Virginia police.
The new station commander of the Thabong police station, Mapulane Mbeloane, thanked all those involved who contributed to the water project. He said police members must add value to the lives of other people. – Christal-Lize Muller