Honeymoon couple, Andre Pieter and Carla Koch were robbed of their belongings on Thursday, January 9. They were staying at The Windmill Wine shop and Cottages when thieves broke into their chalet. Various items were stolen including their wedding rings and their rented Avis vehicle.
The incident occurred between 22:00 and 24:00. “We went to sleep at about 21:30 and I got up at midnight to go to the bathroom,” says Mrs Koch. It was then that I saw my handbag lying on the bathroom floor and all the cupboard doors of the chalet standing open. The bathroom window was broken and standing open and that is how they must have gotten in. We contacted the owners of the resort and they were so supportive and helpful. They contacted Avis arranged for our return flights and even took us to the airport.”
The Koch’s who reside in the Eastern Cape had arrived at the lodge at 18:00 on the same evening and were spending some time in the Lowveld as part of their honeymoon. “It is scary to think that these criminals were standing right next to me when they unplugged my cell phone from the charger on the bedside table.”
Abigail du Toit, area manager Avis, stated that the vehicle was found abandoned towards the Bushbuck Ridge area on the morning of Friday, January 10.
