Jeweller eases Shaleen’s pain in style

Actress Shaleen Surtie Richards's luck has turned after a robber grabbed her valuable necklace while she sat in traffic.

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Johannesburg - Shaleen Surtie Richards is experiencing a lucky streak after a robber grabbed her valuable necklace while she sat in traffic a week ago.

On the necklace were her parents’ wedding rings, along with a Krugerrand. She cursed the robber on Facebook, saying: “May the fleas of thousands of donkeys infest his ass and may his hands be too short to scratch it - the pig!!!!!”

But now her luck has turned, with Arno Egen, owner of Mr Kruger jewellery store, and his team having decided to reach out to Surtie Richards and make her a generous offer.

After hearing about the incident, Egen said: “We were very sorry to hear about Shaleen’s loss and immediately wanted to offer comfort by replacing some of what was stolen.”

Egen has offered the actress a replacement for the one-ounce Krugerrand that was stolen, to design and manufacture a chain and a pendant of her choice to hold the Krugerrand, and to either re-manufacture her parents’ wedding rings or to supply and manufacture a dress ring of her choice.

“While we know the sentimentality can't be replaced, we would like to soothe some of Shaleen’s loss. She is an incredible person, always giving to our community. This is our way of giving back to her,” he said.

Mr Kruger buys and sells a range of Krugerrands as well as other collectable coins. They are bullion experts and they also manufacture made-to-order pieces of jewellery.

Overwhelmed by the offer, Surtie Richards said: “Mr Kruger, I am still speechless. I cannot believe your kindness and your amazing offer. In my entire life no one has ever, ever made such an offer to me!”

She added that it renewed her hope in South Africa.

“Just when you want to lose courage about the state of affairs in our country, you are like a white angel that has softened my pain and grief with your generous offer.”

The Star