Three sacred peacocks have been stolen from the Shree Ganesha Temple in Phoenix and officials are not confident of their return.
They believed the peacocks had made their way to someone’s pot.
The three-year-old peacocks were stolen yesterday (Wednesday) during the day, while the resident priest was resting in his quarters.
This is the second time a peacock has been stolen from the temple. Last year, an adult peacock was stolen. To date, it has not been found.
Yesterday, the suspect allegedly jumped over the temple wall and rattled the lock on the cages where the peacocks were being kept.
Dennis Govender, the chairman of the temple, in Palmview Drive, said this triggered the temple alarm but the suspect ran off with the peacocks before anyone could stop him.
He said the theft in the area was getting worse each day.
“There have been many break-ins at our temple, which is why we installed sensors and the alarm. Sadly, when the thief broke in to steal the peacocks, he broke the sensors. We are once more left vulnerable,” said Govender.
He said there had been two incidents yesterday, by the same suspect.
“The same man came back in the afternoon in the pouring rain to steal more from us. Fortunately, he was not successful in his efforts. In recent months, we have had 120 brass pots stolen, silverware and even our Muruga statue was taken.”
Govender blamed the ongoing theft on the drug addicts in the area.
“Sadly, the police don’t do anything for us. We tell them we know about the drug lords who are buying our stolen items but they do not investigate.”
He said he had no hope they would find the peacocks alive.
“We won’t get them back. By now they have probably been eaten. They have definitely made their way to someone’s pot,” he said.
“It is a despicable thought that someone would eat our sacred birds like it's nothing, especially since it’s now kavady time. The peacock was the mode of transport for Lord Muruga. It's horrible that something so important and sacred to us was taken away, days before the flag hoisting for kavady,” said Govender.
If you have any knowledge or information that could help in locating the stolen peacocks or identifying the responsible individuals, contact Jonathan Govender on 074 204 0250 or Dennis Govender on 073 255 7293.