INLSA
Jene Hadlow, 83, enjoys a chuckle with her husband, Lionel, 79, at their home in Forest Hills. The couple, on their first trip into Durban in years, forgot where they had parked their bakkie (behind). Two policewomen recovered it for them. Picture: Zanele Zulu
“They must have been heaven-sent because nobody would have helped me and my wife like they did.”
This is how 79-year-old Lionel Hadlow, of Forest Hills, described two policewomen who went out of their way to track down his bakkie when he found he had forgotten where it was parked.
Hadlow and his wife, Jene, 83, said they had driven to Durban on Monday to take Jene’s brother to Kings House in Aliwal Street, his Tafta (The Association for the Aged) home.
The Hadlows had not been to the city in years, but, although he was nervous, he did not expect to get lost.
“I avoid going into the city because it has changed a lot,” he said. “My brother in-law has been very sick lately, so we had no choice.”
After a battle to find parking near Kings House, they took the closest spot available.
When they left Kings House the couple set out for their car – but couldn’t find it. Two hours later they were tired and convinced the red bakkie must have been stolen.
“We walked all over Durban looking for the car and we could not remember where it was parked. We both thought it was stolen.”
With all hope lost and the heat taking its toll, they sat down to rest, feeling desperate and not knowing how they would get home since they had left all the money they had inside the bakkie.
“Then I saw an SAPS car and I went over and told the two policewomen what had happened. They asked where they car keys were.”
The policewoman made them promise to stay where they were while they searched for the vehicle.
After an hour, the police returned and said they could not find the car. “But they didn’t give up. Someone else would have said ‘sorry’ and left us, but they did not.”
The police then asked the couple how they had got into Durban.
“I told them through Soldiers Way and they asked us to wait again,” he said.
After 15 minutes, the two “angels” returned with the good news that the bakkie had been found.
“I hugged and squeezed them and they took us to the car.”
Good fortune
Good fortune did not stop there for the couple who last year celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The Hadlows wanted to go to the South Coast next, and did not know which route would get them there.
“The angels got into their car and asked me to follow them. They led us to the freeway.”
Jene said the policewomen were “unbelievable”.
“I did not know how to thank them – they helped strangers.”
Lionel added: “I need to find them and invite them for lunch. I need to thank those angels properly.
Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker commended the two police officers for their efforts.
“I take my hat off to them. That is the service we should expect from all our police officers.”
He said it was great that they were aware of the old couple’s desperate situation, and hoped that their actions and attitude would be an example to other officers.
“We really do appreciate that they helped the couple out in a time of need.”
He said it was unfortunate that he did not have the names of the policewomen, as he would have congratulated and acknowledged them on record.
