Prem Balram, the head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa).
Image: Nadia Khan
THROUGH pursuing his passion to help and protect communities, Prem Balram, the founder and head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), has made an indelible mark in the lives of others spanning over several decades.
The 51-year-old shared his journey which stemmed from humble beginnings growing up on a farm in Hazelmere, near Verulam, to serving as a reservist for SAPS, and starting Rusa in June 1996.
Balram, who was born on October 15, 1974, said his mother gave birth to him on their home’s kitchen floor.
His parents, now late, were Roy Balram, who worked as a long-distance truck driver, and Sita, a housewife.
“Many years ago, my mom told me the story of my brothers being born in the hospital, but I was born on the kitchen floor. My dad was a long-distance driver, and he was generally away from home for a week or sometimes longer, at times. He was not at home when my mom went into labour. She said our neighbours did not have cars and that she gave birth to me on the floor. Eventually, one of the neighbours transported us to the hospital with his tractor. ”
Balram as a baby.
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Balram said he, his parents and his two brothers, Suren (the eldest) and Vinod (the youngest), lived in a wood-and-iron dwelling. Initially, they did not have electricity and piped water.
“We had a kitchen and a room, which was divided by a curtain to make bedrooms for my parents, my brothers and I. We used oil or paraffin lamps, and collected water from a pond a few kilometres from our house. My brothers and I walked with the heavy buckets, but later built a cart to carry it. We also played with the cart, taking turns to sit in and go down the hills. We often went home quite bruised, but we had fun.
“We also visited Hazelmere Dam quite often. My dad and brothers loved fishing, but I have never attempted it to date. One of my favourite games was ‘cops and robbers’. I was usually the cop. We made guns out of timber, but our parents later bought us toy guns, which let out a spark when you pulled the trigger. I used to fall asleep holding it in my hand. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a policeman, ” he said.
Balram, seated middle, with his parents, Roy and Sita, and brothers, Suren, left, and Vinod. Suren is carrying their pet monkey, Chicco.
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Balram said the family also had a pet vervet monkey.
“We found it on the farm one day, and it was injured. We called a wildlife organisation, and they sent someone from the Natal Parks Board, who said they could not take it. We decided to keep it, and named it Chicco. It became part of the family and stayed with us for years. Eventually, we had to call the wildlife organisation after it began damaging the things in the home, and they collected it.”
Balram, second row, sixth from left, in Grade 8 at Verulam Secondary School.
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Balram attended St Xavier’s Primary School from grades 1 to 7. During this time he developed a passion for writing poetry.
“It all started while in Standard 2, when our teacher told us stories about his dog, Dino, every morning. I wrote a poem about Dino, and it was published in our school’s newsletter. I met the same teacher about 30 years later, and he still remembered the poem I wrote.”
He thereafter attended Verulam Secondary School from Grade 8 until he matriculated in 1992.
As a police reservist.
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Balram said the following year, he applied to join the SAPS.
“I always knew I wanted to be a police officer, so I did not think of pursuing further studies. My parents couldn't afford to pay for any studies. In 1993, I applied and passed all the necessary examinations including physicals, and was waiting to be sent to a police training college.
“However, all the successful applicants were suddenly informed that they would be reservists, which is when you provide your services to the SAPS, and there is no salary. I was given the rank of constable. During this time, we were put on guard at the voting stations around the province, including rural areas. I remember I was paid R900.
“We also went for tactical and specialised weapons training, among others. We were informed that we would have the opportunity to attend the training college and become fully-fledged SAPS officers. I was excited.”
Balram, however, said that as the country entered a new democracy, their applications were scrapped.
“Although I was disappointed, I continued to do my best to protect the community. I was later promoted to the rank of sergeant, and received multiple awards, including for making the highest number of arrests. Arresting suspects was like a drug. That feeling of being able to take criminals off the street motivates you to want to do it again and again.”
Balram started Rusa in 1996. He is standing in front of their first and only car used at the time.
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Balram said Rusa started following an incident while working as a police reservist.
“I will never forget that day. It was a Saturday evening and I was at the police station when a call came from someone who said they could hear a woman screaming for help. I immediately grabbed a firearm thinking it might be a robbery, and then rushed to my senior, a warrant officer, who was allowed to drive the police van. But when I walked into his office and told him we needed to go as someone was being attacked; he told me that I must wait as he was eating his sandwich.
“While waiting for him, another call came in and the person said that the lady who was screaming had gone quiet. I ran back into his office, and this time he shouted, ‘can’t you see I am eating?’. Eventually he finished eating and we left the station, only to arrive at the scene and find that the lady’s throat had been slit by her son and she was dead. We arrived in the early hours of Sunday morning, which happened to be Mother’s Day. It was at that point I realised I needed to do something to provide better services to the community,” he said.
Balram said he decided to start the then Verulam Reaction Unit.
“I went to my dad and told him about my plan, and he asked me why. I explained to him, and he gave me his blessings. I also spoke about it to my brothers and my girlfriend, who later became my wife, and they were supportive. But now I had to find the finances.
“I went to a bank in Victoria Street where I spoke to a lady. She told me to sit outside and I would be called. I sat watching through a glass as people walked in and walked out smiling. It was almost closing time, and I had been waiting since the morning. I gathered enough courage to go back inside and ask her again. She told me that to be honest I was wasting my time, and that the loans were being given to people of a certain category and race. I left feeling hopeless.
“However, I eventually managed to buy an old motorbike on account, and had to pay for it monthly. I did not have money though, and my dad, who was now running a tuckshop from our home, gave me R5 a day for fuel. I often ran out of fuel, and pushed the bike home.
“I approached homeowners and asked them if I could patrol around their houses. I told them I charged R50 but they often bargained me down to R30. I worked hard, often arriving at homes and arresting suspects first. I became well-known and started getting more requests for my services,” he said.
Balram said he was dealt a blow after crashing his motorbike and injuring his leg.
“I thought that was the end of Rusa, but my brother Vinod told me he would help me. He used our dad’s van to do patrols and respond to callouts. He helped me for a while, and then he got shot while attending to a robbery callout. I thought again that this was the end of Rusa. But our dad then started patrolling, until a taxi crashed into the van, and it had to be written-off.”
Balram said a few months later, he managed to get a car on finance.
“It was an old accident damaged car. The door did not close properly. But we worked on it and got it to be roadworthy, and I started up again. Since then, Rusa has grown to nearly 80 vehicles in the fleet, as well as bikes, an ambulance, a helicopter and boat.”
He said highlights included fulfilling promises made to families, especially those whose loved ones were missing.
“Sometimes, without thinking, you will tell a mother whose child is missing or believed have drowned that you will find them. It is only once I am in the car or helicopter that I realise the promise I made, and what will happen if I cannot fulfill it. But it also drives me to ensure I do. When I do, the most rewarding feeling is knowing I have brought a family closure. It is also wonderful when they express their gratitude, and give me a hug.”
Balram is a qualified helicopter pilot.
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Balram said becoming a pilot was never part of his plan.
“I was scared of heights since childhood, so the idea never crossed my mind. However, when we bought our first car, and all the rest that followed, we began marking the roofs of our cars, so that in a high-speed chase, a police helicopter could keep track and follow the vehicle. But then I thought, it would be great to have our own helicopter.
“I started looking into it and eventually took an introductory flight. I was terrified and almost climbed on to the pilot. When we landed, I decided it was not for me. However, about six months later, while on holiday with my brothers in Mumbai, they asked me about it, and I told them it was not for me.
"We had also been to the temple earlier that day. When I later checked my email, I saw the aviation training academy had sent me an email that same day, asking me what happened. I knew it was some sort of sign. A day after we returned, I went to the academy and started training. It has been 16 years since I qualified as a pilot,” he said.
A few years ago, Balram was in a helicopter crash.
“Our first helicopter had just come out of service. Not even a few minutes in the air, the engine cut off and it fell 450 feet. I performed an emergency landing, and to this date, I am still shocked that I limped out of the completely-wrecked aircraft. After an investigation was done, it was found that the fuel pipe had not been fitted properly, and it was no fault of mine.”
He has visited 110 countries and about 1600 cities, including Siem Reap in Cambodia.
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One of Balram's passions is travelling, and he has visited 110 countries.
“The first trip I went on was with my wife to Cape Town about 20 years ago. Since then we have visited about 1 600 cities together. We have seen some places that seem so unreal. I also have hundreds of souvenirs, including a piece of rock from the Great Wall of China. I have fulfilled all of my travel dreams.
“I have met people from all walks of life. In some instances, people who are not from South Africa approach me and say they know of me and Rusa. They say we are doing a wonderful job. It makes me happy,” he said.
With his beloved pet Pomeranians, Paris, left, and Pablo.
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The father of three said when he was not keeping the community safe, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his beloved pet Pomeranians, Paris and Pablo.
“My Pomeranians are my best friends, and have brought me the greatest joy.”