Safe haven for the disabled targeted three times
A centre for the disabled which opened in 2000 and has been servicing the Munsieville community for 22 years was targeted a third time in just over a month.
The management of the Tshwaraganang Lekgotlhelle Munsieville Disabled People’s Organisation, known in the community as a safe haven for disabled people, are at their wits end after three break-ins at the centre in over a month.
The most recent break-in was discovered on Monday morning, November 21 and the saddest part is all that was stolen was one plastic table. The damage to the property, however, will cost thousands to fix.
Linda Mogenge, the centre’s manager for the past 10 years, explained that they rely on donations and funding. The first time the centre had a break-in, their fire extinguishers and electrical appliances were stolen and they had to replace it all. The second time the culprits stole electrical cables, copper pipes and even the taps on the outside of the building. They had replaced the outside taps and are still working on fixing the broken pipes and electrical cables.
In the latest break-in, the culprits chose to only vandalise the property. They tried to break in through the ceiling of the women’s toilet and when they saw they could not get in that way, they decided to cut the lock to an outside room where the organisation keeps their gardening equipment. The most bizarre part is that nothing was taken. They then broke in through the burglar bars of one of the windows. As the kitchen equipment is locked behind safety gates, they broke open the ceiling in two places to get to the kitchen. Again, nothing was taken.
It is believed they could not lift the gas bottles or fit some of the items through the small hole. But they still did a lot of damage in the process.
Linda explained that between 18 and 59 disabled people visit their organisation every day and all together 100 people benefit from what they do. Not only do they provide meals every day but they also run skills development programs and make their own detergents which they sell in order to raise extra funds.
“The centre takes disabled people off the streets and away from the abuse they may suffer,” she said, and added that many of them will not eat for the time they have to close in order to fix the damage. The centre was opened in 2000 and have been servicing the Munsieville community for 22 years.
A despondent Linda said that they were looking for funding to fix up the place but will now have to look for funding just to get it operational again.
“I am so sad today because my people won’t eat. I can’t pick them up. Now we have to look for money to fix it all.”
If you would like to assist the organisation, you can contact Linda on 076 204 9507.
