7 hours ago
Diving deep to bring closure
SASOLBURG – The SAPS is observing Youth Month by celebrating its young men and women in blue who go above and beyond the call of duty.
When tragedy strikes along the water's edge, Constable Monica Delport (28) is not the type to stand back.
She dives in to help grieving families find answers when their worst fears come true. Based at Zamdela Rural Safety in the Free State, Monica has quietly become one of the most dependable helping hands in some of the province's most heartbreaking moments—search and recovery missions following drowning incidents.
In the cold, murky waters of the Vaal Dam and surrounding rivers, her role is clear: bring closure to those left behind.
Monica grew up in Sasolburg, surrounded by the strength of service. Her father, a respected police officer, and her aunt, a member of the elite K9 Parliamentary Unit in Cape Town, were constant reminders that a life dedicated to others is a life worth living.
That inspiration led her to join the SAPS in 2019. From the moment she stepped into the Graaff-Reinet Training College, she stood out, not just for her determination, but for her discipline.
She was awarded Best Overall Student and named the Fittest Female Recruit that year, achievements that would lay the foundation for the challenging path ahead.
After serving on the front lines of community complaints at Zamdela CSC, Monica felt the call to do more, to go where few others could or would. In 2021, she paid for her own Open Water Diving course, and the following year, she earned her Advanced Diving certification.
It was during an endangered species operation at Vaal Dam in 2022 that she encountered the SAPS Diving Unit and made her interest known. Her commitment didn't go unnoticed.
Slowly, she was drawn into official operations, and now, as a learner diver, she plays a critical role in bringing missing persons home. But she didn't stop there.
Determined to support every aspect of water-based operations, Monica again paid out of her pocket to earn a skipper's licence, and since March, she has had the authority to operate SAPS vessels on search and rescue missions.
'To give closure to families is the most rewarding part of this work,' says Delport.
'When you're down there and you find what you're looking for, it's emotional, but it's also a kind of peace. You know you've done something that truly matters.'
Monica now has her sights set on deeper depths and the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue Unit, where she hopes to combine her diving skills with the power of K9 tracking to save even more lives or help find the lost. For now, it is her own K9 companion, Kenai, a cross-breed rescue dog, that is by her side, which keeps her company.
Her journey is a testament to dedication, faith, and fearless service. And for those looking to follow in her footsteps, she offers this heartfelt advice: 'Trust in God in everything you do. He has a plan for your life and will lead you to where you are needed.'
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