Saps and library staff clean gogo’s house

There was a sense of joy and gratitude from Lower Crossroad’s senior citizen, Funeka Wowo, when members of Philippi East police station in partnership with Philippi East Library, rolled up their sleeves and cleaned her two-roomed RDP house.

The plight of this 72-year-old, who lives alone came to light, when she reported an incident of domestic violence at the station some time ago.

Ms Wowo said that when the police visited her house and told her that they would come back and clean, she did not believe it but now she feels loved, looked after and cared for and she is extremely grateful.

Constable Natalia Jibilikile who is the domestic violence coordinator at the station, said the woman came at the station to report abuse against by one of her children and when the station followed up, they found that she was living in an unhealthy environment.

Constable Natalia Jibilikile said the gogo had hearing and walking difficulties and the police felt that they wanted to help her.

“Behind the uniform there is a caring person. We are here to serve the community and we are the first responders. We are here simply because this could be my mother or grandmother. We were raised by the key principles that every parent that you meet along the journey of your life is also your parent and your parents are not the only ones who gave birth to you. We want to show her that during her twilight years of her life that there are people who still care about her well-being,” she said.

Constable Jibilikile said they have made a commitment that visit her at least once a month.

Librarian at Philippi East Library, Ayanda Qagana, said that when police approached the staff at the library to help, they felt obliged to take part of this “fulfilling moment to put a smile on someone else’s face”.

Ms Qagana said the reason why libraries exist is to bring upliftment and this serves that purpose.