Honest Simon

If you were to pick up a wallet with money and personal items of the owner, would you make efforts to return the wallet or would you dispose of the personal items and keep the money for yourself?

Simon Mathole did the opposite of what some may do, given the financial crisis and unemployment rate in the country.

“I was in Linden and I saw a bag on the road. I stopped to pick it up. When I opened it, I saw personal items in the bag and I could not throw it away. I had to trace the owner and return it,” said Mathole.

The wallet had R560, identity book, credit cards and driver’s licence. Mathole went through it until he found a number to call.

“The family told me they were on 4th Street in Linden. I then took the bag to them, they were very happy and gave me all the money that was in the wallet,”Mathole retold.

Herbert Anstadt had been driving out of his Linden home when he left his money bag on the roof of his 1984 Toyota Corolla. He reversed down the driveway out into 4th Street and the bag fell off, unbeknown to him.

“He came home in an absolute state – driver’s licence, ID, credit, debit cards, plus R560, which is a fortune for a pensioner, had been lost. We immediately set about cancelling cards and tried to believe the bag would be found and returned,” said Barbara, his wife.

Barbara said they are very grateful and happy to know that there are honest people in the world.

“You cannot imagine our joy as Simon arrived with the bag intact. My husband took every note out and put it into Simon’s hand – he was speechless and what a celebration of joy was shared by us all. Thank you a million times,” she said.

“A beautiful friendship has been formed and it certainly dispels the doubts and fears that so often creep into our lives,” Barbara added.

Mathole called on all residents to return items that they find to the rightful owners saying, “everyone deserves a good deed.”