Off-duty Limpopo Saps marathon team save mother and baby in EC

After competing in a 10km race, Limpopo’s “Blue Machines” used their stamina to rescue a mother and baby from assault. Picture: Facebook/Saps Off-duty police officers from Limpopo became unlikely heroes in the Eastern Cape, quickly intervening in a gender-based violence (GBV) attack and apprehending the suspect. The physical fitness and endurance of the South African Police Service (Saps) Limpopo marathon team, known as the “Blue Machines”, saved the day on Monday, 2 March.

The members rescued a mother and her baby from a GBV incident. The team represented Limpopo at the 2026 Saps 10km Polmed Race. The race was held in East London on Sunday, 1 March.

65 Blue Machines members participated in the event, where they secured multiple podium finishes. This endurance, discipline, and resilience came in handy on Monday at about 5pm. The members were travelling back to Limpopo and stopped at a filling station on James Calata Street to refuel.

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“While at the premises, the vigilant officers observed a 30-year-old man allegedly assaulting a 25-year-old woman who was carrying a baby in her arms,” the Limpopo police said. “Without hesitation, and despite being outside their home province, the disciplined members immediately intervened, shielding the mother and child from further harm,” Saps said. The suspect realised police officers were confronting him and fled into the surrounding neighbourhood.

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