Not all heroes wear capes: Johannesburg officer helps woman give birth in CBD’s busiest taxi rank

A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Officer Evans Lebepe, went beyond the call of duty to help deliver a baby in the Johannesburg CBD this week.  

Lebepe was on foot patrol with fellow officer Danny Ledwaba when they were alerted to a woman giving birth near the Bree Taxi Rank. The pair rushed to the spot and found the woman in labour. 

JOHANNESBURG OFFICERS HAILED FOR HEROIC ACT

Lebepe told the City of Johannesburg that while waiting for the ambulance, he decided to step in because the lady was just about to give birth.

“I have the training and experience, so I knew I could successfully intervene. Things like this do go wrong. I was anxious about whether the baby would be born fine. Although I knew I would be able to perform CPR if the situation demanded me to, I kept thinking of the probability of losing my job if the situation went sideways,” he said.

“There was a group of women who surrounded the mother with blankets to protect her from spectators – some of whom seemed to be recording the delivery of the baby on their phones. After the baby was born, the women suggested that she should be named Brianna because she was born in Bree. When I asked them why the name had an ‘ana’, one of them said she liked the name Rihanna, so it was a combination of the two,” Lebepe added.

Fortunately, things went according to plan and the woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Both mom and daughter were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Acting Chief of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Angie Mokasi, lauded the two officers for their gallantry and said that their actions were reflective of their commitment to always serve the City of Johannesburg and its residents with passion and valour.

“This was indeed a commendable deed. We are proud to have such officers of fine mettle in the JMPD. They have proven their pledged devotion to serving and protecting the citizens of this City. I wish to express my appreciation to them both, not only on behalf of the department but also on behalf of the City of Johannesburg,” the Acting Chief said. 

“Let me also extend my congratulations to the mother on the birth of her healthy baby girl. I wish them both good health,” she added.

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