The campaign organized in support of Warrant Officer Karl Sander has officially reached a significant milestone, with R 656,064 transferred to the lawyer's account.
Kyle van Reenen, who initiated the campaign, reported that over the past month, Warrant Officer Sander and the organizers have been working with BackaBuddy to ensure the correct and transparent handling of funds in accordance with the necessary requirements.
Sander, who is a senior investigator at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) or Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, testified before the Madlang Commission of Inquiry regarding the theft of over 500 kilograms of cocaine bricks valued at R 200 million from the Hawks office in Port Shepstone in November 2021.
He also mentioned that his coffee machine was stolen, after which he had to undergo a polygraph test. Sander stated: 'I failed. I just wanted my coffee machine back. I didn't get it.'
He added: 'My only safe place was my coffee machine, and then they stole my coffee machine (from) inside DPCI. It makes me laugh, but it's still so annoying, and I had to take a polygraph because of the theft of my own coffee machine.'
When the campaign started, according to van Reenen, it was about much more than just replacing a coffee machine. He noted: 'It became an opportunity for ordinary South Africans to support a person who has dedicated decades of his life to serving our country.'
Van Reenen emphasized that the collected amount reflects a strong public reaction, with people making donations, spreading the campaign, and sending messages of support. He concluded: 'The next phase will focus on the distribution and use of the funds. Further updates will be provided in due course, with the organizers promising to maintain the transparency that guided the campaign.'