Glen Ashley community commends reaction officer

Durban North residents showed their appreciation for an armed response officer who heroically survived a hail of bullets during a shooting in the upmarket suburb recently.
Blue Security armed response officer Hopewell Mazaleni was overwhelmed when residents handed generous gifts in cash and kind in appreciation for his service to the community recently. Mazaleni is one of the armed response officers who drives a dedicated vehicle that patrols a special ‘Blue Zone’ in a geographically fenced area of Glenashley.
Blue Security special projects manager Stephen Wimborne said the presence of a dedicated vehicle reduces response times to crime scenes and provides effective proactive preventative policing service to the neighbourhood.
“Hopewell was lucky to escape a gun battle with armed robbers unharmed during a home invasion in Adrienne Avenue on April 28. The family had locked themselves in a safe room and when Hopewell arrived at the scene one of six suspects fired a shot at him and ordered him to leave before several more shots were fired,” Wimborne said. “He sped out of the firing line to the end of the road and called for backup vehicles but the gang drove past and continued firing at him. A total of 14 shots were fired.”
Resident and special project committee member Diane Evans said residents had wanted to show the officer their appreciation in a practical way. “We wanted to show him appreciation for the way he responded to the armed robbery and put his life on the line,” Evans said.
She said residents had contributed gifts ranging from money and gift vouchers to chocolates.
Evans said the presence of a dedicated vehicle had made a big difference to the neighbourhood. “The service and dedicated vehicle and back up is fantastic and it gives me peace of mind,” she said.
Mazaleni said the community’s gesture had been overwhelming. “I feel very happy because I was just doing the job I am expected to do and I never expected anything. I would like to thank everyone because I never thought they could do something big like this for me,” he said.
Wimborne said the community’s generous appreciation of the officer’s bravery was kind and heartwarming. “We partnered with the community in this special project, which has proved a success in fighting crime, back in 2015. We will continue to be a strong presence in the neighbourhood to provide proactive policing and swift armed response so that residents can feel safe again,” he said.