NATIONAL NEWS - A policeman, who tackled and arrested a detainee on the run at Mamelodi regional hospital, was recently awarded for his outstanding bravery.
Sergeant Edwin Chauke from the Mamelodi East police client service centre said he was off-duty when he noticed a man dressed in prison clothes on the run and arrested him.
The award ceremony was held at Mamelodi East police station where Brigadier Terence Naidoo awarded him a certificate of bravery and a cash prize of R10 000 last Thursday.
Police spokesperson Constable Lethabo Mashiloane said the man who was arrested was at the hospital for medical attention last year.
“Nobody knows how the detainee managed to escape from the hospital, but Chauke saw a commotion and a man in orange prison clothes running from the direction of the hospital.
“He decided to act and arrested the man on the run despite risking his life while he was off-duty.”
Mashiloane said the man arrested by Chauke was sentenced to 25 years in prison of which he has already served 10 years.
“The detainee was arrested and was taken back to prison to continue his sentence.”
Mamelodi East police management congratulated Khoza for his bravery and for remaining loyal to the police force.
“His swift action and while being off-duty shows dedication and I hope other police officers will do the same in fighting crime,” they said.
The police further encouraged the public to start working with the police in fighting crime and report any suspicious-looking persons to the police by 08600 10 111.
