Parrot owner offers R7 000 reward
The woman’s birds were stolen along with her car after she was involved in a minor accident.
The Brakpan woman whose two African grey parrots were stolen along with her car on Madeley Street, Boksburg, on April 21 is offering a R7 000 reward for the birds’ return.
Christelle Barnard (50) desperately wants her pets, Candy and Olaf, back.
“Sharing their photos on social media has not borne any fruit yet. People have called me about parrots they have spotted, but they were not mine,” she said.
The distraught woman previously told the Boksburg Advertiser the birds are rescues.
Olaf has been with Barnard for three years and Candy for three months.
“I take them everywhere. They even go to work with me and sleep in front of my bed.”
The day her car was stolen with the caged birds inside, Barnard, who works for a panel beater in Ellisras, was on her way from Brakpan to Ellisras at about 13:00 when she had to take a detour because of the sinkhole on Rondebult Road. The GPS directed her to take Madeley Road.
While on Madeley Road, she drove into a stationary vehicle with her Volkswagen Caddy. According to Barnard, the brake lights of the Renault she hit were not on.
“I pulled over to find out if anybody was hurt. Luckily, nobody was injured,” she said.
The car thief struck while they waited for the police and for photos of the damage to be taken.
“A tall, skinny man pushed me when I wanted to get into my car. He grabbed the keys out of my hand and drove off towards the East Rand Mall.”
The stolen vehicle is a white Volkswagen Caddy with a personalised registration number, 1 STER L.
Barnard opened a case with the police. Boksburg Advertiser has not yet received comment from SAPS about the incident.
Anyone with information about the parrots or vehicle can call Christelle Barnard on 083 542 5187.
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