EDITOR – I have recently become aware of a con that seems to be operating in the Westville area. I was shopping in a local supermarket last week, when, in the baking aisle, I was approached by a white gentleman, in his late 30s to early 40s.
He told me a long story about having children to feed and, in having lost his job, he was only recently employed and was waiting for his money to come in. I believe he said he was a contractor. He asked me not for money, but to help him buy the one loaf of brown bread and four tins of pilchards in his basket. Though I told him at the time I couldn’t help, I felt a twinge of remorse as I continued shopping, and finally relented and asked my husband to give the store supervisor R50 to help this gentleman towards his groceries. I felt I had helped someone in need.
Well, was I surprised when yesterday (15 September) I was approached again in the baking aisle, by another white man in his late 30s, who sprouted a very similar story to my previous encounter. He had exactly the same items in his basket – bread and pilchards. After listening, I explained I couldn’t help him and, after arguing with me, he stormed off. As I checked out, I saw the same man walking up and down past the check out, and then he went through the checkout, past another patron, and left the store: no basket and no food.
To say I was angry is an understatement. I felt so silly. When you try and help people and your good deeds get thrown back at you. I want to bring it to the attention of all men and women that these gentlemen seem to be targeting younger women who are alone. The man cornered me when I was alone, so he probably had been watching me to see if I was an easy mark. It seems what they might do is after you have bought the items for them, they keep them, and once you have left the store, they take the items back to the shop and ask for a refund and get the money. It also concerns me that if you were to help them, being alone, what could happen between the shop and checkout, or even after.
Be vigilant, and to these men- you ruin the chances for people who actually need help ever getting it because your actions make us as the public more wary, and less likely to extend a helping hand. Shame on you.
Bronwyn Jones
Westville
