Man desperately searches for mobile kitchen stolen at Westville campus

A MOBILE kitchen, which was the only source of income for its staff, has mysteriously disappeared from the UKZN Westville Campus. The disappearance of the kitchen has dealt a blow to the man who runs it. 

Owner of Kota Kheyos, Kwanele Mbatha said he only realised on Wednesday, 10 February that it was missing

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“I went to the campus and did not find it, at first it did not cross my mind that it was stolen. I thought maybe it was moved,’ he said.

The Pinetown resident said he has a contract at Edgewood College where he sells take away food to students on campus. 

“Due to lockdown, I moved it to Westville campus for safety,” said the 30-year-old man.

From what Mbatha gathered, he believes his mobile kitchen must have been stolen around New Year’s Eve.

It was last spotted on campus around 29 December.

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Mbatha said he was devastated as he worked hard trying to raise the R56 000 required to buy the mobile kitchen.

“I used the money that I made selling food at universities and secured some investments. I also have a takeaway shop in Pietermaritzburg which I was focusing on as the universities are closed.  

“This is a huge setback, It had all my equipment and now its gone,” said Mbatha.

The dilemmas and challenges faced by his staff are also a concern for Mbatha, who said the mobile kitchen was their only hope and source of income.

“I did not hire people because of their qualifications but hired people who are hardworking and eager to learn.

“Most of my staff have not had it easy in life and most of them struggled to get work due to their conditions, lack of experience and backgrounds,” he said.

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