BOY, does out sister newspaper, the Mid South Coast Mail, have egg on its face.
Two weeks ago it proudly published a ‘good news’ story on the front page about a kind Scottburgh man who had helped a ‘disabled, deaf-mute’ man on crutches who desperately needed to get to Port Elizabeth for a hip operation.
In its defence, the Mail staff really wanted to bring a bit of joy to a world that is shell-shocked by an abundance of ‘bad news’, like crime and road carnage. One only has to drive along the N2 to see scores of crosses and wreaths marking the spots where travellers have died.
The ‘good story’ was also posted on the Herald’s website and ‘the love’ was shared thousands of times.
Alas, no good deed seems to go unpunished in the South Africa of today.
The following week, another man phoned in, claiming to have been caught beforehand by a man with a similar sob story… and a third victim came forward this week.
This time the man had added to his long list of ailments. He wrote on a piece of paper that he also suffered from diabetes and couldn’t afford the medicine.
This third Good Samaritan fell for it hook, line and ‘stinker’, contributing R750 to the man’s medical fund.
Is it just co-incidence that there are three guys out there on crutches… all deaf, mute and needing a hip replacement operation in Port Elizabeth?
Mmmm! Doubtful.
But there’s no denying that this conman is highly talented and has probably missed his true calling. He would be a shoo-in for a part in SABC’s ‘Isidingo, the Need’.
Dear reader, if you happen to be approached by this man, please advise him to go for an audition with Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO – not to be confused with a famous brand of baked beans).
Hlaudi will surely identify with such acting talent.
The unfortunate moral of this story is that there are still many good people out there prepared to help others less fortunate than themselves (to quote a Rotary creed).
But these numbers are bound to dwindle if bad people continue to take advantage of their kindness.
We have to fight against becoming a nation of hard hearts, but how do we do it without falling victim to these swindlers?
One proven way is to work through service clubs and other credible organisations who have a record of good governance. These organisations are the backbone of communities and they are all desperate for new members.
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