Ms Sophie Moller, aged 82, was shocked to see that her petrol card had been used for an amount of R498 after she had been pick-pocketed.
“I was out shopping in the veggie section of Checkers Klipfontein and had just picked up some bananas, I headed over to the apples and was carefully choosing which red apples I wanted when I noticed a sturdy man approach me from my left, I assumed he was after the apples,” she said.
Only when she arrived at the till to pay for her groceries on November 11, did she realise that her purse was missing from her zip handbag.
“The purse which has a zip was closed within a zip bag inside my handbag, in my purse was my bank cards, shop cards, driver’s license and petrol card,” said Ms Moller.
She explains how she thought maybe she dropped it or misplaced it at the previous shop, so she returned there to check first before calling the bank.
“I called the bank and was able to stop the cards but they informed me that my petrol card had been used to swipe for fuel to the value of R498 at the Sasol near Checkers at 14:20 that afternoon,” she said.
She recalls specifically purchasing that very handbag for the reason that it would not be an easy target for pick-pocketing and recalls how the bag strap was wrapped around her left arm as she used her right hand to carefully select her favourite apples.
“I am a little person and to come and rob an elderly person is a terrible thing, it is such a shock to me,” she says with a whimper.
Checkers Klipfontein comments in regards to the alleged pick-pocketing, Mr Michael Dyasi, video/loss control manager, said that nothing was reported to them, he added that they do not have surveillance over the fruit and veggies section and that Checkers would like to refrain from commenting on the matter.
The Sasol Garage was contacted in regards to the use of the petrol card.
“We are happy to help identify the suspect, the lady must just come visit us and bring along the case number and we should be able to assist her in identifying the vehicle or the person responsible. We have helped a number of clients in this manner,” said Mr Hussain Verachia, Sasol Garage owner.
Ms Moller opened a case of theft at the Witbank Police Station the following week after the incident occurred.
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