Promise Marupeng
When Sergeant Silindile Njilo, a crime prevention officer at the Ntuzuma Police Station in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa reported for duty on 5 May 2024, it was just another ordinary Sunday morning.
Little did Njilo know that her shift that day would take an unexpected turn after she discovered an abandoned baby girl who had been brought to the station by a tavern owner during the previous evening shift.
The baby’s biological mother had ditched her at the nearby tavern.
According to South African Police Service (Saps) national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the biological mother of the child has since been found. She was arrested and charged with child negligence. Her case is still ongoing in the courts.
Wasting no time, Njilo immediately went back home and brought a washing basin and some clean clothes. She proceeded to bathe Tholakele, the baby’s nickname, and changed her into a new set of clothes.
While awaiting a social worker, she also fed the baby who immediately warmed up to her care realising she was no longer destitute.
“The state she was in broke my heart as a mother,” Njilo told Africa News 24 in a recent interview.
“She had been left with a wet and soiled nappy for several hours. She had been hungry and lonely.”
Her compassion and empathy recently earned Njilo the Gagasi FM SHERO award for outstanding community work and going beyond her call of duty.
Njilo, a wife and mother of two, said her act of humanity was merely a reflection of her humble upbringing as she knew how it felt to “come from nothing” having been raised by a single mother who had no steady income.
“I’ve found passsion in helping victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence in my community. I am also passionate about children.
“I wish they had just let me adopt her and end her suffering. I know I give her more love because I love her as my own now.”
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She added her mother’s words: “Be a light and take care of those who need help”.
And that statement continues to inspire her to this day as she often buys essentials for poverty-stricken members of her community.
Nilo said joining the South African Police Service (Saps) 14 years ago was a dream come true.
“There is no greater calling that serving one’s community. I urge our community members to support and stand alongside members of the South African Police Service because, together we can achieve more towards a safer country for all,” said Njilo.
Nothing short of a heroine, Njilo has been hailed by many across the country as a shining light in her community.
