What was supposed to be a normal Sunday for a RandWest SPCA employee turned into shock when his important belongings were stolen.
The 42-year-old Andries Lemao who lives on the property was on his way to the bathroom on the morning of Sunday, January 29 at approximately 08:45.
“Just as I got to the bathroom, I saw someone running out of my room.”
When he went back into his room, he saw his cellphone charger lying on the bedroom floor with his phone missing and drawers pulled out, lying on the floor with the items that were in the drawers. He proceeded to press the panic button but the suspect was long gone.
The operations manager at the branch, Danie Vermeulen, confirmed that the employee living on the premises was a target of theft and when their reaction officer arrived they saw no one and that the suspect was already gone.
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He said fortunately he didn’t get injured, but they stole his cellphone and his wallet which contained his bank card and his identity document.
“I feel really bad about what happened because it’s not safe here, I want to warn the community that it’s dangerous outside and that they need to be careful. I’m scared but what can I do?”
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Thanks to a Samaritan he was able to get a new phone, but he’s still in need of a new wallet and Andries is currently busy sorting out his documents to get a new identity document and bank card.
RandWest SPCA Chairperson Brenda Eloff said she is saddened and furious about what happened to Andries.
“Our staff work incredibly hard for the little they have. It was Andries’ off weekend but because we are short staffed, he offered to stand in, and then the theft happened.”
She explained that all staff has panic buttons which they carry with them at all times and stronger steel gates and locks have been installed in the staff rooms thanks to donations. Barbed wire will also be put onto the wall soon.
“We would very much like to put up security beams, but currently we don’t have the finances for it,” concluded Brenda.
