Two Delft cops who drove all the way to eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) in their private capacity to reunite a mother and her son, who had been missing for six years, have been honoured by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
Warrant Officer Mikey Daniels and Constable Emile Farao were hailed as heroes last month when they drove Jane Daniels in their private car over 1700km to get to her son.
Jane had reported mentally disabled Denzil, 35, missing after he vanished six years ago while shopping at a mall with his father.
Over the next six years, the mom was hit with further tragedy when she first lost another son in a hit-and-run accident and she later buried her sickly husband, but she never gave up hope of finding Denzil.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde with officers Mikey Daniels and Emile Faro and Jane Daniels. Picture supplied
In June, eSwatini cops found Denzil rummaging in dirt bins for food.
They questioned him and learnt that he was from Delft in Cape Town.
The cops called Delft SAPS who found his missing person’s report, and while the family made plans to collect him, the eSwatini police fed and clothed Denzil.
Donations of over R30 000 were received thanks to Gift of the Givers, personal donations and a tourism company.
During his first State of the Province speech on Thursday, Winde singled out the cops for going “above and beyond the call of duty” to reunite mother and son.
Mmusi Maimane with the hero cops. Picture supplied
He presented them with awards in recognition of their commitment to their work and for helping to build relationships with the community they serve.
Farao tells the Daily Voice they will cherish their moment forever: “We feel so honoured and grateful.”
Mikey says he recently visited Denzil at Eerste River Hospital where he is being treated in the psychiatric ward.
“He looks much better,” the cop added.
Jane Daniels and her Denzil reunited after six years. Picture supplied
Pastor Charles George, chairperson of the Delft Community Policing Forum, says Denzil has not been well since his return and might be transferred to Stikland Psychiatric Hospital.
Jane previously told the Daily Voice that Denzil had no recollection of how he came to eSwatini.