The Lotto-Goliath had to go!

2003-05-18 21:49

Virginia Keppler

Pretoria - He was David and that "evil machine" was Goliath. And so he attacked it, not with a slingshot, but with a pickaxe.

Now Werner van der Watt is in trouble over the broken Lotto machine that he demolished after he was "inspired" by a church service.

Van der Watt, 30, manager of the Derdepoort shopping centre in Pretoria, said he smashed the machine because gambling is against his religion. His father, Pieter, is the owner of the shopping centre.

"I am not sorry over what I've done. I attended a service on Sunday and the pastor spoke about the 'giants of the world' that we are afraid of and that cause us to lose faith in God.

"I asked myself why people trusted the Lotto for happiness and money, while God cares for us every day.

"I unplugged the machine, carried it outside, took a pickaxe and smashed the machine. I left it there."

Representatives from Uthingo, who manage the state lottery, removed the wrecked machine on Monday.

According to Uthingo the machine is worth about R100 000 and they will lay a charge against Van der Watt.

"I accept responsibility for my actions, but if I knew the machine was worth that much, I would probably not have demolished it."

- Rapport