Do-gooder returns wallet to uMhlanga couple

WHEN uMhlanga resident, Riaan Venter lost his wallet while shopping at La Lucia Mall, he never expected to see it again. What’s more, he had just drawn money to celebrate his 30th wedding anniversary the next day.

“I was shopping with my wife, Pauline at the La Lucia Mall, spoiling her for our 30th wedding anniversary. After paying for clothing at the counter, I got distracted not realising I left my wallet behind. We were shopping at another store afterwards and within the hour I noticed that I didn’t have my wallet on me. This distressed my wife and I very much, as we were about to leave for vacation and in my wallet I had all my bank cards, drivers licence and R1700 in cash,” said Venter.

After retracing their steps and searching the mall, the Venters reluctantly went home.

“When we arrived back at home, I saw 13 missed calls on my cell that I left behind. There was a message from Anele Mtati to phone him back. He apparently picked up the wallet that he found on the floor by the paying till,” said Venter.

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Mtati explained that he was wary to leave the wallet at the store, when he saw the large sum of cash inside.
Instead, he found Venter’s business card and attempted to contact him directly. After several failed attempts to reach Venter, Mtati left the mall, thinking he would send an email once he got home.

“I tried my best. Having experienced the same thing myself, I knew the feeling. I know the pain of having to go through the inconvenience of replacing your licence and bank cards. It’s not something that is going to be sorted out in a day. It’s a process. So, when I saw this wallet and that it had cash in it, I thought it would be risky to hand it in at the store,” he said.

The do-gooder recalled how he had experienced the same kindness two years ago.

“When I once lost my wallet, I just about lost my mind, thinking how it was hardly likely that someone would return it. Anyone can just take the money and throw the wallet away. Then I got a call from my bank and they informed me that a man had found my wallet with my bank card and contacted them. I went to the bank and there he was, waiting for me,” said Mtati.

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When Venter saw the missed calls, he made arrangements to fetch his wallet from Mtati’s Glenmore home and the couple’s anniversary plans were saved.

“He said I could count that the money was all there, but I didn’t even bother, I just pulled out R500 as a reward and gave it to him,” said Venter.

“It was priceless for me, when I saw his face light up,” added Mtati.

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