Thousands of rands’ worth of damage was caused when a would-be thief climbed the iconic Tree of Memories at Rose House in Montague Road, Bedelia, and stripped the tree of a cable to which more than 1 000 memorial lights were attached.
Disaster struck on Saturday, 15 February, when the man was caught red-handed on the hospice premises, where he was busy stripping the tree of the electrical cable on which the memorial bulbs are attached.
The suspect struck at about 06:37, and an alert was immediately received on the Bedelia Police Forum regarding a suspect caught in the act of stealing.
“Thanks to the vigilance and swift action of community members, the suspect was apprehended on the scene. A special thank you goes out to the residents involved, as well as the quick response from Shepherd Alarms and members of the police, who ensured the suspect was successfully taken into custody,” says Ray Goodsell, chairman of the Goldfields Hospice Association.
He expressed his gratitude for the community’s efforts in preventing further loss and damage.
This incident highlights the crucial role the community plays in supporting the community policing forum (CPF), police, and security companies by serving as the eyes and ears in the fight against crime. We encourage continued cooperation to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
Since its inception in 1991, the Goldfields Hospice’s Tree of Memories has become a landmark in the festive season, synonymous with goodwill and the raising of much needed funds for their community work.
Goodsell says they would appreciate any assistance possible from the community to have the Tree of Memories returned to its former glory.
This tree, at 60 m, is considered the tallest living Christmas tree in the Free State. The idea behind the tree is to decorate it with lights bought in lieu of loved ones lost to terminal diseases.
The project serves as an additional source of income to supplement costs at the hospice.
The ideal way of ending a busy year and starting the festive season is to enjoy the switching on of their Christmas lights.
