A 63-year-old Phoenix pensioner is hoping for justice after jewellery valued at approximately R400, 000 was allegedly stolen by a woman she had allowed to stay in her home out of compassion.

The woman, who has requested anonymity due to negative comments she has received on social media, recently shared her ordeal with the Rising Sun after approaching Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) for assistance.

According to victim, the incident occurred shortly before Christmas in 2025 after she allowed a 51-year-old woman to stay at her home in Westham, Phoenix.

The suspect had reportedly been looking for accommodation after being introduced to the pensioner through her sister. Speaking to the Rising Sun, the victim said she felt sorry for the suspect after learning she had nowhere to stay and was experiencing extreme financial difficulty.

“My sister met her at Phoenix Plaza. She was crying and said she had no place to go. I felt sorry for her and allowed her to stay at my home,” she said.

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The victim explained that she had welcomed the suspect into her home and treated her with kindness. According to the victim, the suspect was a domestic worker and cleaned homes to make a living.

“She was very nice in the beginning. I made breakfast and lunch for her and tried to help her. I never expected something like this to happen,” she said.

According to the victim, she regularly placed a spare house key beneath a dog kennel before leaving to care for her young grandchild in Clayfield. She believes the suspect observed where the key was kept and later used it to gain access to the property while she was away. The victim said she returned home to find her house completely ransacked.

“Everything was pulled out. My clothes were thrown everywhere, and it looked like someone had searched through every drawer and cupboard,” she said.

RUSA reported that the suspect allegedly stole several valuable pieces of jewellery, including a 22-carat gold bracelet, a 22-carat gold chain, several gold bangles, a gold watch, an 18-carat ring containing 45 diamonds, twin-set rings, four gold rings, an 18-carat gold cross chain, and several broken gold rings. The victim said the jewellery represented decades of cherished memories and milestones.

“Some of the jewellery came from my first marriage. Some were Valentine’s Day gifts, and others were presents I received on special occasions throughout my life. They were worth far more to me than money because of the memories attached to them,” she claimed.

In addition to the jewellery, she claims clothing, shoes, and other personal belongings were also taken. The victim said she confronted the suspect after discovering the theft and accused her of taking the items. However, the suspect denied any involvement.

“I was upset and demanded answers, but she kept saying she didn’t take anything,” she recalled. The victim then called the police, however, she alleged that no arrest was made.

The following morning, the suspect allegedly disappeared and has not been seen since. As the investigation unfolded, the victim said she began hearing allegations from other residents, as far as Stanmore, who claimed they had experienced similar incidents involving the same woman.

“I later heard from people in other areas that she had allegedly stolen from elderly residents before. Some people recognised her photograph and told me about incidents where valuables had gone missing after she stayed or worked there,” she stated.

The victim said the loss has had a significant emotional impact on her.

“People are focusing on where I kept my key, but nobody understands what it feels like to lose things that took a lifetime to accumulate. You can buy new jewellery, but you can never replace the memories attached to those pieces,” she said.

She also expressed frustration over comments she has received online, with some social media users criticising her for leaving a spare key outside her home.

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“People are mocking me and saying I shouldn’t have left the key there. I understand that now, but it was something I had always done because I was worried my grandchild would lose it,” she clarified.

The pensioner said she has repeatedly followed up on the matter with police and remains hopeful that her jewellery can be recovered.

“I just want my jewellery back. The sentimental value means everything to me. I hope the person responsible is found and held accountable,” she concluded.