Mzansi rallies: Over R120,000 raised to replace Hawks Warrant Officer’s stolen coffee machine

More than R120,000 has been raised to buy a new coffee machine for Warrant Officer Karl Sander after his machine was stolen, a fundraiser that drew rapid public support.

Fast-growing campaign draws national attention

According to IOL (Independent Online), a Back-a-Buddy campaign set up to replace Sander’s stolen coffee machine attracted large numbers of donations, and the fundraising page temporarily crashed with contributions coming in thick and fast.

How the drive began

IOL reports that a Durban man started the fund after his own coffee machine was stolen during a robbery at his office. The campaign has proved popular: IOL says the Back-a-Buddy campaign is sitting on R 120,770.

Sander’s testimony and the personal detail that touched readers

The fundraiser followed public attention on Sander after he finished testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry about the theft of more than 500 kilograms of cocaine from the Port Shepstone Hawks office in November 2021. During his testimony, Sander said his coffee machine had been stolen and that he had to undergo a polygraph; “I passed. I just wanted my coffee machine back. I didn’t get it back,” he said. “My only safe space was my coffee machine and then they stole my coffee machine (from) inside the DPCI. I am laughing about it but it is still so annoying and I had to get polygraphed because of the theft of my own coffee machine,” the report quotes.

Community response and warnings

According to IOL, the campaign has been a massive hit, with many members of the public thanking Sander for his bravery. IOL also received emails from readers, one offering to supply coffee beans for a period of time.

Kyle van Reenen, who commented to IOL about the response, said he did not expect the campaign to gain this level of attention and called the public support “truly remarkable.” He added that the generosity shown by contributors reaffirmed that people value service and integrity. Van Reenen warned that several new campaigns have been started and said he would engage with Back-a-Buddy to highlight them so verification could be undertaken. For those wishing to support the cause, he encouraged donating through the original verified campaign, IOL reports.

Amount raised

IOL reports the Back-a-Buddy campaign total at R 120,770.

What donors said

One contributor quoted by IOL, Khomotso Moloko, praised Sander: “You did stand against the evil ones, and it was not for your personal battle but for all ordinary and helpless RSA people.”