Historic 200-year-old Bethelsdorp church bell stolen in Gqeberha as R20 000 reward offered - IOL

The historic Bethelsdorp Congregational Church in Gqeberha, where a more than 200-year-old copper bell was discovered to be missing this week. A R20 000 reward is being offered for its safe return.

A historic bell believed to be more than 200 years old has been stolen from the Bethelsdorp Congregational Church in Gqeberha, with a R20 000 reward now being offered for its safe return.

The copper bell was discovered missing on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said the church was locked and everything was in order at about noon on Sunday, but when the keyholder returned at about 3pm on Tuesday, the bell was missing.

“A theft case has been opened and the investigation is ongoing,” she said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has offered a R20 000 reward for the safe return of the bell.

"We initially offered a reward of R2,500, but the impact of this crime on the psyche of Bethelsdorp’s residents, and the deep heritage that runs through what is the oldest settlement in Nelson Mandela Bay, is simply too significant to ignore," the party said.

"We have therefore increased the reward because this is about more than the recovery of an historic bell; it is about protecting and preserving our shared heritage."

DA Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidate Retief Odendaal said there were allegations that the copper bell may already have been sold to an illegal scrap metal dealer.

Odendaal said the DA had passed information that could assist with the investigation to the police.

He said the party would use the theft to highlight the need to tackle illegal scrapyard operations and vandalism in Nelson Mandela Bay.