BOPHELONG – A group of kids in Bophelong have been implicated in the theft of a substantial quantity of condoms from the Phuthuloaha Counseling Organization.
Phuthuloaha, a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting safe sex and HIV prevention lost about 54 000 pieces of condoms last week after a series of burglaries at their storage facility.
The theft, which marks the third of such incidents, has raised concerns about the safety of critical resources and the impact on public health in general.
While Phuthuloaha has been a lifeline for many residents in the area, ‘naughty’ young boys between the ages of 8-10 continue to strip it and sell the stolen merchandise for R2 a pack at their schools.
From breaking windows and dragging condom boxes, to breaking locks and confiscating bigger quantities the need for getting more condoms signals a high demand for slingshots and water balls.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, founder and Managing Director at Phuthuloha Disebo Tladi said they have lost many items and witnessed vandalism.
“We experiencing break-in challenges. Almost every work if not twice, we are dealing with theft or vandalism at the center. We have lost gazebos, and timers for temperature, high blood, and diabetes machines among many other things,” she said.
“Last week they came, broke the garage door, and took nine boxes of condoms (54 000 pieces of condoms). We opened cases and without identifying suspects our cases didn’t go far. So, we end up not reporting the break-ins anymore,” she said.
Tladi appealed to the community to refrain from damaging and breaking in at the center.
“Our aim is to serve the community. We want to see our community free from HIV and those living with HIV being undetectable and untransmittable. To see everyone free from social ills. We only want to serve our community but our community tries so hard to destroy the organization,” she said.
“If the community of Bophelong can work with us, stop this barbaric act it will make our work easier. We urge the community to help us, work with us not against us. We are working backward as we always have to buy the same things all the time.,” she said.
