Tears of joy flowed at Manenberg Police Station last week as generous Daily Voice readers helped out a 11-year-old meisie who was beaten after stealing a pair of sloffies.
The poor girl and her 71-year-old ouma got a skrik when they arrived at the police station to find parents with bags of brand-new slippers and clothes for the child.
Manenberg police opened a child abuse docket after the girl was caught shoplifting shoes at a Nyanga Junction store.
She was allegedly bound with cables ties, beaten with sticks and forced to walk home in the dark.
On 13 March, the girl says she went to the Power Fashion shop and, because her family could not afford to buy her shoes, she stole a pair of R90 slippers, but was caught.
While the store has denied that their staff beat the child, neighbours took her to the police station where her injuries were recorded, and she was hospitalised for three days at Red Cross Hospital.
On Thursday, Mitchells Plain father, Peter Swartz, 34, arrived at the police station with a brand-new pair of sloffies and a tracksuit.
LESSON: Little Manenberg girl, 11, has vowed to never steal again
“I was hartseer when I read the story because people see the theft, but they don’t understand the poverty. As a husband and a father of a four-year-old, this broke my heart. I wanted to help her and show her the right way,” he said.
The smiling girl thanked Peter and promised to never steal again, while her ouma sat crying. “I can’t even say how I feel now, but thank you,” said the old lady.
ASSIST: Peter Swartz gifted the girl with a tracksuit and a new pair of sloffies
A 26-year-old woman from Silvertown, who asked to remain anonymous, donated a warm fleecy jacket for winter, tights, T-shirts and underwear.
“I felt disgusted that an adult would treat a poor child like that,” she said.
“Hitting a child because she is trying to do something good for herself in a bad way should not resort to violence, but to a good lesson! Help where you can.
“She is a pretty little girl and she seems to have great potential. That smile on her face warmed my heart.
"I wish I could do more for her. But unfortunately I can only do so much.”