Children’s savings stolen in Bethany House burglary

Monument — In the early hours of May 4, the Bethany House Trust (BHT) was targeted in a burglary.

CEO of BHT Antoinette Jonker revealed that two burglars disconnected the main power supply to the trust’s new Social Welfare and Therapeutic Centre in Potgieter Street and proceeded to break into the building, which was rendered without electricity, thus the electric fence and alarm were also disabled.

“The burglars caused considerable damage to the newly renovated building, and escaped with the laptops used by our social workers, computer monitors, and all the kids in the adjacent children’s home’s pocket money, which was kept in a safe in one of the offices.

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Some of the kids have been saving their pocket money to buy Mother’s Day gifts. The children are distraught.

“The social workers are equally distraught as they lost their laptops with valuable reports related to the care of the 104 children in the various Child and Youth Care Centres, in addition to their offices and brand new office furniture being damaged,” said Jonker.

She added that the invasion of their personal space and the potential risk of harm to their children are very worrying.

She continued, although the trust is insured, not all the damage and losses will be covered by the insurance company.

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Jonker thus pleads with residents and businesses to help support them financially to recover from the theft.

The Krugersdorp News reached out to police for comment and will keep readers updated.

If you want to donate to them to help support their three Child and Youth Care Centres, which were established 30 years ago, contact campus manager Michelle Germishuizen on 063 706 7820.

TEASER: Burglars strike local children’s welfare centre – stealing laptops, damaging new office furniture and taking the children’s pocket money.