WATCH: Pregnancy Crisis Centre looks for good Samaritan after theft of vehicle
Without the car, the home now faces a dilemma of getting the girls to the delivery room and doctors.
This past Black Friday (November 24) meant something negative for Samaritan Pregnancy Crisis Centre.
While shoppers enjoyed searching for goods on specials, the centre was targeted by criminals.
“The centre’s house mother went shopping for the home at Newcastle Mall on Friday, and the centre’s car was stolen,” said the home’s director, Elizabeth Botha.
The bright yellow Opel Kadett, nicknamed Piesang, was acquired by the Pregnancy Crisis Centre 15 years ago and played an instrumental part in the running of the centre.
“A lot of driving around is done for the centre, as the women and girls in our care can go into labour at any time. Then there are the visits to the clinics, specialist clinics and hospital.”
The car was also used for grocery shopping and running errands for the house.
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Without the car, the home now faces a dilemma of getting the women and girls to the delivery room and doctors.
The home cares for young women who have either been raped, or are young mothers who were unable to deal with their situations.
Newcastle Mall’s Management team expressed its dismay at the theft of the car.
“We are very much aware that incidents such as these are upsetting, and again thank the community for its input and concern. We are addressing this by way of getting the boom gates to operational status, and the installation of number plate recognition cameras,” said Newcastle Mall’s Centre Manager, Hester Malan.
The maintenance and service of the current boom gate system has already started after hours, which will include upgrades to the current system.
“This may take a bit of time given the specialised technical nature of the work, but we are striving to have it full operational as practically possible,” said Malan.
However, the mall’s managemet team were investigating the matter and working closely with the SAPS and oher security firms and organisations.
Facing dire financial constraints, the Samaritan Pregnancy Crisis Centre cannot afford to purchase another car.
Botha is appealing to the community to assist in this time of need.
“If anyone could donate a car to us, it doesn’t have to be a new one, it would be greatly appreciated.”
If anyone can assist Samaritan Pregnancy Crisis Centre, contact Elizabeth Botha on 084 510 4215.
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You can also email our offices on Reveshni Douglas at reveshni@caxton.co.za Quinton Boucher at newsun@caxton.co.za Bruce Douglas at Newed2@caxton.co.za Tersia Gopi at newed@caxton.co.za Zianne Leibrandt at ncschools@caxton.co.za
