NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS — Chris Lloyd and his hardworking team had everything prepared for a fully booked Sunday lunch at 'Die Waenhuis' restaurant and locked up after business as usual on Saturday.
It came as a terrible shock on Sunday, when they arrived to begin preparations for the day, to discover that thieves had broken in overnight and stolen an entire frozen lamb, the meat that had been prepared for lunch, as well as the contents of the bar along with other stock.
With 20 people booked for lunch, the team at 'Die Waenhuis' started to panic.
The police were called and arrived immediately, and forensics arrived from Graaff-Reinet shortly afterwards to perform their fingerprinting investigations. News spread like wildfire and before long villagers had rallied to the rescue.
Legs of lamb were defrosted and dispatched, bottles of wine and other drinks were donated, people asked how they could assist, and the kitchen became a hive of activity. As those taking fingerprints completed their work at 11am, staff moved in to clean up and set tables.
According to Chris, it was truly remarkable that doors opened for business at noon and a delicious Sunday lunch could be served!
Chris Lloyd and his team at 'Die Waenhuis' expressed extreme gratitude to those who came to their assistance - Nieu-Bethesda is certainly a special place, where good things happen when a community works together.
The SAPS is confident that the perpetrator will be brought to book as an attitude of zero tolerance for such crime is adopted in the village.
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