By Karabo Ntanzi
Thugs broke into Tlhabologo Disability Day Care at Helen Joseph Center during the early hours of Monday morning. According to the center’s Caretaker, Kinston Sailos, the incident occurred between 3 and 4 am because he made his rounds at 2 am and went to sleep.
Sailos, discovered the break-in when he was doing the last inspection at 5 am. However, he only managed to inform the Principal, Maureen Tsiu, at 9 am because there was no tenant and did not have the Centre Manager’s contact details.
The robbers stole a wheelchair, fridge, desktop printer, Logic two-bar heater, two-plate stoves, educational toys to the value of R4 800, toiletries, disposable nappies, towels, six blankets, electric kettle, thermometer, protective clothing including, 15 pairs of goggles, disposable gloves, two big pots, water jars, plastic cups, dishes and groceries. The SAPS are investigating the case.
The Center cares for 25 abled and disabled children. It employs four people and is funded through private donors and school fees. The center has been hit hard by the pandemic. They were only allowed to take in four children per week due to the regulations.
The Principal indicated that this is not the first incident. “In March 2020, the center was broken into before hard lockdown and a gas stove, gas cylinder, and other equipment were stolen. We reported the break-in at Kagisho Police Station. The assigned Finger Prints Officer came to the premises but refused to enter the crime scene because she was afraid of disabled children. The Officer sat under a tree and after that left,” said Tsiu.
The South African Police have appealed to community members to report any suspicious activity to the Kagiso Police Station and assist with any contributions towards the center’s upkeep, such as rent payment.
Donors can send contributions to the center.
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