Over the weekend, Stepping Stone Hospice Children’s Unit, which provides vital care to vulnerable young patients grappling with life-limiting illnesses in Raceview, was shaken to its core when a brazen thief attempted to steal a valuable generator worth over R250 000.

The generator, generously lent to the hospice by Martin Fourie of Premier Air and Power Solutions, is crucial in powering essential medical equipment and life-saving interventions. However, on Saturday, a male in his early 30s attempted to steal it, leaving staff and patients alike in a state of shock.

Under pretense and deceit, the thief, who had driven into the premises in a stolen white bantam bakkie previously involved in a hit-and-run incident further up the street, claimed he was there to service the generator.

Despite his suspicious behaviour and apparent intoxication, he managed to gain their trust, who initially allowed him access to the unit, but as he continued to raise more red flags, the nurses on duty soon realized his true intentions and, because of his suspicious behaviour, they had to press a panic button and call the CPS to remove him from the premises.

The incident left everyone shaken, but thanks to the selfless actions of care worker Mzi Maswazi, who decided to sleep over at the hospice to ensure the patients and staff felt safe and supported.

Tersia Burger, Stepping Stone Hospice founder and CEO, said reviewing the security footage, “It’s clear that the suspect deliberately parked his car in a strategic position, making it easy for him to steal the generator which is on a trailer.”

“In the footage, you can see that he parked his car in a way that would allow him to quickly load the generator and make a getaway. It’s clear that he had planned this out, and his only concern was his own gain, not the impact his actions would have on our vulnerable young patients,” she said.

TO WATCH: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15STrEuT4g

Thanks to the swift action of the security team, the suspect was apprehended on the road and brought back to the hospice unit before being taken to Alberton SAPS.

“He didn’t consider the kind of work that we do and the vulnerable people we care for. Luckily, we don’t currently have children who rely on oxygen machines, but the thought of what could have happened is unbearable. The attempted theft threatened to disrupt the critical care provided by our caring nurses to these young patients,” she said.

Burger said it is imperative that Stepping Stone secures a reliable generator to ensure the continuity of their life-saving work. Amid the incident and periodic power outages, they are reaching out to the community to request either a monetary donation or an actual donation of an 80kva generator to support their children’s unit.

As the hospice continues to provide care and support to those who need it most, they kindly ask that the community rallies behind them to help raise funds for this essential piece of equipment. To make your kind donation, contact Tersia Burger on 010 442 5059 or via email at tersia@steppingstonehospice.co.za