ACCOLADE TO STAFF AT SPAR KILNER PARK FOR ASSISTING A CLIENT AFTER THEFT OF PURSE

This is a copy of a letter addressed to Mr Kgomotso Moate at their Head Office:

ACCOLADE TO STAFF AT SPAR KILNER PARK FOR ASSISTING A CLIENT AFTER THEFT OF PURSE

This letter took a while to get to you. However, the gratitude has not diminished since the end of August 2021.

On that day, I rushed into Spar Kilner Park to buy four cans of beans. I was in a hurry. The shelf is almost at the entrance and I still had my cell phone and my keys in my right hand as I always carry my bag on my left.

As I was standing in front of the shelf, I could not immediately find what I was looking for. I noticed a tall, thin gentleman to my right with an empty trolley and looking at the shelves in front of him like I was. I thought he was a packer.

The next moment, he started ramming my trolley. I asked him what he was doing, and he withdrew but remained in the aisle. I reached down to put my keys and cell phone in my bag when I noticed my purse was missing.

I had been aware of a "shopper" to my left, but I focused on trying to find what I had come looking for.

As soon as I noticed my purse was missing, I shouted to anybody within earshot.

The staff members were amazing. Nelson and his management staff assisted me immediately. They called the police (who also did a stellar job), prevented the gentleman from leaving the store, and everybody got involved to assist.

One of the staff members who normally perform duty at the door (Gloria) even found my purse at the pharmacy next door (also Spar). The woman who stole the purse had thrown it under a shelf. The staff there were also helpful and willing to give statements to the police.

EVERYBODY was kind, helpful, and even willing to testify.

Through the diligence and excellent support I received from SPAR that day, the case went to court and they found the gentleman involved guilty on 4 March 2022.

I am forever grateful to all the staff at Spar Kilner Park who went the extra mile to assist me during that harrowing experience.

Thank you, Nelson and ALL YOUR STAFF that were on duty that day.

Kind regards, Anne Lloyd-Hughes Owner: ALH Brand Management

PS: Please make sure the staff get this letter as it is important. Too often we complain, but are reluctant to compliment when gratitude is due. Not only that, but if we as victims and shop owners alike, like SPAR, do not take the time to make the effort and take action, this kind of crime will only escalate.

KUDOS to SPAR KILNER PARK, Pretoria.