THE ALEXANDRA Development Centre which was broken into in February and had items stolen, is still waiting the outcome of a police investigation.
In the article, Selfish thieves steal from charity centre, week ending 28 March, Lifa Molefe of the centre’s management said they had been broken into six months earlier, and on both occasions, computers were stolen and replaced after insurance pay outs. As the centre is now regarded as high risk by the insurance company, the centre is now concerned that the lack of progress in the investigation may affect any insurance cover should they be robbed again.
Molefe, said the centre provided school leavers, the unemployed and the elderly computer, refrigeration technology and cashiering skills.
“We are sponsored by the Department of Social Development to contribute to employment creation through skills development and job placements, and are assessed on agreed outputs,” he said.
“In both instances, the theft affected our computer training and made us fast track the process without compromising the quality, as it is important for those we train in their search for jobs.”
He added that after the break in, they called a community meeting which was also attended by members of the Community Policing Forum and the police, but discouragingly there had been no leads.
“Surprisingly, the police said we should check with them in case they [have become apathetic], but we expect it to be the other way around, as their performance should be judged on resolution of cases – including feedback to victims of crime like us,” he said.
Molefe also indicated that they were concerned about a loss of funding which could lead to the unemployment of its eight staff members who were all breadwinners for their families.
The centre’s board chairperson, Mabel Dikobe, said she hoped the centre would not be judged by its vulnerability to theft, but on the outcomes which lifted many from poverty via employment.
Details: Mabel Dikobe 083 544 7611.
