Peacock theft rattles temple before sacred festival

A recent peacock theft has deeply affected the Shree Ganesha Temple on Palmview Drive in our local community. During the incident, a thief managed to steal three peacocks, triggering the temple’s alarm system, but unfortunately, they escaped before anyone could stop them.

According to Dennis Govender, the temple’s chairman, this is not the first time they have faced such a situation. Despite having security measures like burglar guards and alarm systems in place, the suspect was able to steal the three-year-old peacocks by cutting through the fence where they were nesting.

The stolen peacocks have significant religious value, especially during preparations for the upcoming kavady festival. Lord Muruga is symbolized by the peacock, making this theft particularly upsetting for the temple community. Sadly, this crime is a part of a pattern of break-ins the temple has endured, including the theft of a fully grown peacock and other sacred items.

The temple believes that the stolen peacocks may have been harmed, which is deeply disturbing considering their symbolic importance. Despite efforts to beef up security, such as sensors and alarms, the thief managed to thwart these measures during the recent incident.

The temple officials suspect that the stolen peacocks might have been sold or worse. They are urging anyone with information about the theft or the suspect to come forward and help them in recovering the stolen birds. If you have any information, please contact Jonathan Govender at 074-204-0250 or Dennis Govender at 073-255-7293.

The community’s support is vital in protecting our sacred spaces and ensuring that such incidents do not reoccur. Let’s come together to safeguard our local places of worship and preserve their sanctity.