An Athlone Church has offered a reward of R1 500 for the return of stolen artefacts to the value of R200 000, which includes the pulpit.
According to the Dean of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in
Belgravia, they do not believe it was a break-in because there is no sign of forced entry.
Pastor De Vries Bock on Monday begged the diewe to safely return their “priceless” artefacts - a 1.5 metre high brass-trimmed church pulpit, an engraved brass baptism bowl and the brass communion utensils which includes jugs, cups and the wafer bowl.
Since 21 October, the church has been a safe haven for more than 85 people from the Vygieskraal informal settlement who were left destitute after a fire destroyed over 200 shacks and left about 1200 people homeless.
Pastor Bock said he was shocked at the theft, considering all the good work the church does in the community.
He says they first realised some items were missing on Sunday, 10 November, and were shocked to discover more items were stolen last Wednesday morning when he went to open the church.
He believes the skelms knew exactly what they wanted because they left the expensive sound system behind.
STOLEN: Diewe have fled with artefacts worth R200 000
“These prestigious pieces are over 120 years old and valued at approximately R200 000,” he says of the stolen items.
“It is not only a setback to heritage and religious traditions of the church, but disheartening knowing that the church, just in the past weeks, opened its doors to the displaced people of the Vlei and was instrumental in mobilising much-needed aid and support for over 800 people.
“The church also used its premises to provide emergency relief to the
community,” the despondent pastor said.
SHOCK: Pulpit was stolen from the Evangelical Lutheran Church
Bock says they have not reported the theft to cops, but are offering a reward instead.
“We are offering a reward of R1 500 to anyone who could provide information,” he says.
Anyone with information can contact Pastor Bock on 073 303 1009.