Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers, who were ready to pounce after spotting a car out on the road during curfew hours, got a big surprise when they found a pregnant woman about to give birth.
Instead of writing a ticket, the cops helped bring the woman’s baby into the world 10 minutes later.
The officers noticed the couple’s vehicle on Robert Sobukwe Drive near Montana in Bishop Lavis at about 3am yesterday, clearly contravening lockdown curfew regulations.
They stopped their vehicle, which was also occupied by the couple’s two children, while they were on their way to a local clinic.
The frantic woman told the officers she was pregnant and going into labour, City of Cape Town Safety and Security Directorate spokesperson Wayne Dyason said.
And when her water broke, the officers sprang into action and helped deliver the baby on the spot.
The baby girl was born at 3.10am and the officers later accompanied the mom and her newborn to Bonteheuwel Hospital.
“On 21 September at about 3am, Law Enforcement LEAP officers were on patrol on Robert Sobukwe Drive approaching Montana when they spotted a vehicle on the road clearly flouting the curfew rules,’’ said Dyason.
“They stopped the vehicle and found an adult male and female and two children inside.
“The female indicated she was pregnant and was going into labour and they were en route to the Bishop Lavis Clinic to seek assistance.
“At that time her water broke and the officers, realising that no time could be wasted, swung into action.
“They alerted an ambulance for assistance and set about delivering the baby.
“At 3.10am a baby girl was born into the world.
“The officers then decided to accompany the mother, child and family to Bonteheuwel hospital for further care.”