Thread by @RobinAdamsZA

Every day we're reading worrying stories of crime in Cape Town.
Recently I was a victim too.
But this incident was truly bizarre.
And we still don't know in which category we place this story.
Help us decide?
A THREAD...

My wife-to-be and I were in Cape Town in September for a bit of a holiday. But it was more wedding admin than anything else.
We both rented cars to run errands and reduce the items on the to-do list.

After doing a tasting at our wedding venue in Paarl, we came back to Mumsy's house in Plattekloof and spent the night.
All our favourite Afrikaans soapies and Mumsy's world class cooking. We were in heaven.

The next morning Mumsy frantically summoned me downstairs.
Skelms had broken into Lee-Anne's rental car which had been parked outside.
Rear window smashed. Glass everywhere. Damnit.
We started the massive clean up project.

Thing is - Lee's jacket was still in the car. And so was our wedding file with all the paperwork, guest list, etc.
So what did the thiefs take?
Or were they disturbed?
BIZARRE.

We had an appointment in Green Point that morning and after the shattered glass cleanup operation got ready to head out - in my rental car.
I couldn't find my wallet anywhere.
I reckon I just misplaced it in the house somewhere.
Anyhoo...

Missioned out to Green Point.
Decided to check my internet banking in case my wallet may have been lying in the car and thieves might have helped themselves to some pre-Christmas shopping with my bank cards.
It is just after 11am.

BOOM!
Already two payments have gone off.
One at @Shoprite_SA, Parow. A R115.98 purchase. That was at 10.38am.
And then another at @PicknPay Parow for R23.99.
So now we know that my wallet is gone.

Phoned the bank to block my local and Turkish cards.
But I was a lot more worried about how I was getting back to Turkey. My work permit was in the wallet. Without it I wouldn't be able to board my flight to Istanbul.
Panic sets in.

Lee calls @TRTWorld and asks the helpful folks from HR if they could draft a letter that I could show to the airline and Immigration authorities back in Istanbul.

Around lunchtime we head out to the @SAPoliceService station in Parow to file a case.
We need a case number for insurance purposes for @Hertz car rental company.
And I need a police affidavit so I can get a temporary driver's licence from #CapeTownTrafficDept.

An incredibly polite, friendly and professional Constable Tamara Tshona helps us.
She takes down a detailed statement.
The station is busy, so it all takes a bit of time.

We leave Parow police station after 2pm.
We're intrigued by what the thieves bought on my @StandardBankZA cheque card.
Full disclosure - if you 'tap' the card for purchases under 200 bucks, you don't need a pin.
Just tap and go.

Trust me - I now know the error of my ways.
Anyways...
We go to @Shoprite_SA Parow. It's so loud in the store. And busy. We can barely hear ourselves think over that intercom system announcements.
Turns out it the wrong Shoprite and we go to the other branch a few blocks away.

The manager of the other Shoprite confirms a purchase was made with my card. The R115.98 was for two large packets of Peter Stuyvesant cigarettes. The 30s.
It really was Christmas for the thieves.
I could just see them puffing away in glee.

The manager says we are not allowed to see video surveillance footage of the skelms shopping on our behalf and that only @SAPoliceService members were allowed to review the footage.
Understood.

At this stage Lee-Anne and I are feeling a little bit like Detectives on our own mission, our own tv show.
And I do like myself a crime-solving drama.

After our visit to Shoprite I ask Lee-Anne whether she think it would be worth our time heading to @PicknPay Parow. "They're just gonna tell us the same thing", I say.
"Sorry can't show you the surveillance footage".
Lee says we should just go anyway.

I'm more worried about time.
Because I still want to get to @FNBSA N1 City to get a replacement bank card, proof of address, and take passport photos and then go to Goodwood Traffic dept for a temporary licence.
@StandardBankZA's replacement card could wait - I thought.

We go to @PicknPay Parow - on Lee's suggestion.
The most helpful store manager, Bernadine Benjamin, is on duty.
She confirms a purchase was made at her store.
Lee and I had been debating what the thieves could possibly have bought for R23,99.

I said a quarter chicken and chips or a boerewors roll.
Turns out the skelms bought a can of Yardley Fire and Ice deodarant.
Brilliant - I thought. Fresh-smiling thieves. I can't be angry with them over that.
IT GETS BETTER!

Turns out these criminals were actually very thoughtful.
They also used our @PicknPay smartshopper card and got us loyalty points.
SALUTE! Now I really can't be angry with them.
Such consideration - it's genius!

The manager, Bernadine Benjamin, says she cannot show us the video surveillance footage, but will get a printout of the purchase.
Shoprite also gave us a printout and by now we felt like real detectives.
Exhibits to enter into evidence and so on.

Bernadine asks one of her colleagues to please get the Smart Shopper card statement from the nearby kiosk and gives her the last four digits of the card.
The colleague does a 90 degree turn, cuts us a look, with the widest eyes I've ever seen.

The colleague, Sarah, points to a lady next to her. She walks over to us to say the lady is using our Smart Shopper card.
WHAAAAAAAAAAT???
The thief was back at the scene of the crime.
INCREDIBLE!

*Looks like I'll have to start another thread.
Outta characters. Hang on for me.