The man who retrieved the body of the late Mr Itani John Phosa from a dam in Makhado last September, said he was not happy with the way the police neglected him.

Mr James Ndalane of Madombidzha, Tshitasini, said although people are born to assist each other, he deserves to be recognized in a special way by the South African police service "for his bravery".

"The victim is not my relative and I do not remember meeting him during his lifetime, but I was touched to see the people and the police watching helplessly as his body was floating in the water. Despite inviting me to attend the funeral, the deceased’s family thanked me for retrieving Mr Phosa’s body. I expected the government, however, and especially the Department of Safety and Security, to honor me with money or some other means," he said.

Ndalane said he is quite sure that if Phosa was still alive, he was going to compensate him.

Police spokesperson Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi said that Ndalane should have been arrested for entering the crime scene, which resulted in his hindering the police investigations. "We do not reward people who contravene our acts. Tell him that he should been arrested for his action," said Mushavhanamadi.