Hero cop awarded for saving four people from drowning in one day

Memories of the day a Khayelitsha cop desperately tried to get his baby breathing again while his wife sped to the nearest hospital still give him cold sweats. But for law enforcement officer Masibulele Diko, 35, that proved to be the perfect trial run for a day, many months later, when he would save four men after going for a "quick check-in" at Monwabisi beach.

Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith with Officer Masibulele Diko.

His heroic efforts were rewarded on Thursday evening when he received the overall award for Officer of the Year from the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate.

The directorate also awarded other staff members at the annual ceremony, designed to recognise the efforts of staff members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect the public.


"When they called my name, I just jumped up, like a child. I was so excited," he said. "But you know it made me so happy that I could get that man to breathe again. That day, all I heard were people screaming and panicking while I had to keep my cool."

‘I saw someone floating face-down’
It was a hot day on October 27 when Diko, a qualified lifeguard, and a colleague did routine patrols.
As a member of the Marine Unit, they work the stretch between Macassar and Strandfontein.

READ MORE: It's just my job, says hero cop who pulled woman from river

Although it was a weekday, Monwabisi Beach was packed as people sought reprieve from the heat.
"It was just before 14:00, when our shift was due to end, but I decided to hang around a while because I was worried about the huge volumes of people.

There was no lifeguard on duty that day, and as I was looking down to the people splashing in the water, I saw someone floating face-down in the water."

Diko swam the 25 metres to where the man was, and realising he was unconscious, swam with him back to the beach. There he administered CPR "for two cycles" and finally he heard the sound that made it all worthwhile - the coughing and wheezing breath coming from the victim.

"I was overcome with thankfulness and relief," he said as he remembered that moment. "There were all the people buzzing around me, but all I could see was that man's face."