A Mdantsane preacher was left distraught over the Easter weekend when police recovered “bits and pieces” of his beloved family car of 20 years that was stolen outside his church on Friday.
Presbyterian Church of Africa preacher Mzontsundu Nokenke, 65, whose church is in NU2, said while praying about love, compassion and unity inside the building, thieves drove away with his red 1996 Mazda 323 parked outside.
“I parked it outside the church with other cars just before 10am and by 3pm it had disappeared. I was so shocked. I ran back inside the church to announce to the congregation that my car had been stolen,” said Nokenke. He reported the incident to the NU1 police station, who are investigating.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku, said the car was found abandoned in a quarry in Chicken Farm, close to Reeston. It had been stripped.
Following up on information, members of the Cambridge police task team raided illegal “chop shops” in Mdantsane and found the preacher’s car parts, allegedly in the hands of five different people.
They also recovered two other cars stolen in Nahoon and Cambridge last month and this month.
Nokenke rushed to the Cambridge police station but he could only identify bits and pieces that remained of his car.
“People are cruel. We must pray hard against crime, It is not a nice thing,” he said.
“I do not have a million words for the police but their dedication is beyond belief. They really worked hard to find my car and I appreciate it,” he said. The preacher said he bought the car 20 years ago and had used it to travel to Port Elizabeth and Mthatha for church work.
“I will now have to take a taxi because this is the only car I have. I don’t know the extent of the damage. We will have to wait and see if it can be fixed,” said Nokenke.
Mzuku said a 32-year-old suspect was later arrested and linked to the theft of the two other vehicles. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Thieves leave preacher’s car in scraps
Presbyterian Church of Africa preacher Mzontsundu Nokenke, 65, whose church is in NU2, said while praying about love, compassion and unity inside the building, thieves drove away with his red 1996 Mazda 323 parked outside.
“I parked it outside the church with other cars just before 10am and by 3pm it had disappeared. I was so shocked. I ran back inside the church to announce to the congregation that my car had been stolen,” said Nokenke. He reported the incident to the NU1 police station, who are investigating.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku, said the car was found abandoned in a quarry in Chicken Farm, close to Reeston. It had been stripped.
Following up on information, members of the Cambridge police task team raided illegal “chop shops” in Mdantsane and found the preacher’s car parts, allegedly in the hands of five different people.
They also recovered two other cars stolen in Nahoon and Cambridge last month and this month.
Nokenke rushed to the Cambridge police station but he could only identify bits and pieces that remained of his car.
“People are cruel. We must pray hard against crime, It is not a nice thing,” he said.
“I do not have a million words for the police but their dedication is beyond belief. They really worked hard to find my car and I appreciate it,” he said. The preacher said he bought the car 20 years ago and had used it to travel to Port Elizabeth and Mthatha for church work.
“I will now have to take a taxi because this is the only car I have. I don’t know the extent of the damage. We will have to wait and see if it can be fixed,” said Nokenke.
Mzuku said a 32-year-old suspect was later arrested and linked to the theft of the two other vehicles. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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