A 19-year-old Zimbabwean woman successfully gave birth to a baby daughter, with the help of three police women, while they waited for the emergency services to arrive.

Constable Hensia Semenya-Faambe, student constables Takalani Thenga and Tshililo Nethengwe were on duty at the Louis Trichardt charge office on February 8, when they heard a scream outside.

Upon investigating, the three police officials found the young mother-to-be already in labour next to the small wooden office used to certify documents.

The emergency services were notified immediately, but the woman’s water broke before they could arrive. Constable Semenya-Faambe assessed the situation and, using her knowledge of first aid, assisted the pregnant mother. By the time the emergency services arrived, she had already given birth to a healthy girl.

The young mother was taken to the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital for a medical check-up.

This week local police spokesperson Capt Maano Sadike said the station commissioner and fellow colleagues were very proud of the three police officials. He added that if it were not for their help, either the mother or the baby could have died. Although unusual, it was just another day at the office for the three "midwife" police officials.