By Thato Mgoma
Employees of Mme Re Ka Thusa Trust Fund (Mrkttf), a women empowerment organisation in Kimberley had a distasteful start to the new year as their office was broken into when they reopened on Monday, 8 January 2024.
Gladys Matshele, Mrkttf Provincial Manager said all employees were shocked when they found the office in such a state. Documents and other belongings were scattered everywhere in the office. There were no printers, laptops, desktops, water dispensers, microwaves, wireless mouse, black office chairs, branded tablecloths and other items were missing. “In that state of confusion a colleague said “lets call Wanya Tsotsi”, indeed we called them and the Police”, said Matshele.
They also contacted Operation Fiela, an NGO. According to Matshele a operation ensued consisting of Wanya Tsotsi, SAPS and Operation Fiela. They were able to track down two boys who we seen selling electronic devices on Tuesday who led them to three other suspects.
None of the five suspects admitted to breaking into the facility; they all claimed to have found the offices already broken into. Operation Fiela retrieved three computers and three printers, which was sold on the streets for one hundred rand (R100) each.
Matshele encouraged people who find themselves in similar situation. She indicated that the fund was established to assist women to participate in the economy of the country. It is a government funded project, the organisation has been in exist. “Those working tools that you stole, please return them so that we can continue with our mandate”, pleaded Matshele.
Bishop Thabisho Louw, from Operation Fiela, expressed his disappointment because business people bought the stolen goods. He asked how are they supposed to help the buyers one day when they are in the same situation. Louw thanked Operation Wanya Tsotsi for working with them to retrieve the items. “This was not a ‘one-man show’; it was something to help the community, “said Louw.
Tebogo Obusitse, popularly known as Pansy from Wanya Tsotsi, extended his gratitude to the SAPS and Operation Fiela for their support. He also thanked Mrkttf for emancipating women from the scourge of poverty. He also stated the challenges which they faced with other “buyers” who refused to return the stolen goods.
The investigation is still ongoing because there are still more office items missing.
Mme Re Ka Thusa also requested that the general public assist with information on the sale of suspicious office items. The public can contact them on 0682284358.
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