FREE STATE – The District Commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Maj Gen Lerato Molale applauded Sergeant Maruis Geldenhuys for an exceptional act of bravery in rescuing the lives of innocent people at the R30 road between Allanridge and Bothaville since the beginning of the year.

The road is flooded by heavy rains since the beginning of the year, and it is known as the “High Accident Zone” where many people lost their lives.

Several accidents were reported in Allanridge SAPS and Sergeant Geldenhuys who regard diving as a hobby, has been risking his life in this dangerous road by saving people’s lives.

Whenever he is contacted regarding the accidents, he does not hesitate to take his personal diving equipment and his private vehicle to offer assistance to those in need.

In one of the incident where the flooding on this road gained national attention, is when an Intercape bus ended trapped into the water. The member was part of the team that successfully rescued 80 people from drowning.

Segeant Geldenhuys was on vacation leave when he also rescued a Captain who is the Station Commander of Vierfontein SAPS from drowning when his vehicle was trapped inside the water.

In the recent accident that occurred in the early hours of Saturday 23 April 2022 at 01:45, he received a phone call about a 22 seater Sprinter mini bus that was also plunged into the water. He rescued three people from drowning and assisted in retrieving nine bodies from the water.

The member’s courage and capability in saving lives of vulnerable people will never go unnoticed, says the District Commissioner.

Source: South African Police Service