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"MANY people asked me why I came back to South Africa, when I could work anywhere in the world," a devastated Willem Avenant, a young businessman from the Helderberg, said on Tuesday. In one foul swoop of crime, Willem has not only lost his only means of transport, but also his entire business.

"As I feel now, I would get on a plane tomorrow and go somewhere where my property would be respected and specialised services would be valued."

This young South African returned to the country of his birth in April last year, after a three year stint in London where he qualified at Caple Manor College as arborist (tree surgeon) and worked for the municipality in London, keeping their trees "healthy".

"It is a specialised field and a person with such qualifications is regarded as an asset in any community. I've had many offers from people in other countries to work there, but felt I could make a success here in my own country," Willem told DistrictMail.

His father and grandparents have property in Strand, but Willem decided to rent a flat in Gordon's Bay and set about establishing a business of trimming and cutting trees in his own name, WR Avenant Tree Management, with a bakkie load of specialised equipment bought overseas.

He had international contacts who were prepared to invest big money in the tree industry in South Africa. He was planning to go to Alaska in three months time to get people interested in investing in the business here.

All his plans and future prospects changed in an instant on Monday night, when he became another number on South Africa's long list of crime statistics.

Willem went to his uncle's birthday party and parked his bakkie outside their house in Elsenhan Avenue in Helena Heights, arriving at about 20:00.

When he wanted to leave at about 22:00, he was stunned to discover that his bakkie, a maroon 1992 model Isuzu 2.5 bakkie with registration CBT 1460, had been stolen together with it all his specialised equipment - including three Stihl chain saws (which are not readily available in South Africa), which had been locked up in metal boxes bolted to the bakkie. Other equipment that was stolen included ropes and climbing harnesses, Silky hand saws, axes, petrol containers, tools, carbines and pulleys.

Never felt such shock
"I've been at many accident scenes, but never felt such shock as I did at that moment. I've lost everything I've worked for the past three years," he said.

The party had been attended by many friends and no one had heard anything.

Relatives and friend have all been shocked by the theft of his bakkie and equipment which were not yet insured against possible losses.

"Tree felling is a very dangerous profession and few companies are prepared to insure someone in this business, while the rates are also very expensive. This makes my losses so great," he explained.

Anyone with information about the theft of his bakkie and his stolen tree felling equipment, are asked to phone Willem on 083 267 9639.

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