Respected Beefmaster CEO arrested
19 October 2018: A shocking ‘arrest’ was made yesterday when respected member of the greater central South African community (including Free State, Northern Cape and North West province) and CEO of Beefmaster, Louw van Reenen, was taken into ‘custody’ by the South African Police Service while he was enjoying a coffee at the North Cape Mall. To the relief of onlookers, it soon became known that the arrest was part of the Cancer Association of South Africa’s (CANSA) ‘Jail n Bail’ initiative, which sees prominent community members spend time behind bars in order to raise funds for the organisation.
The incident unfolded in the popular Mugg & Bean establishment shortly after 14:00, with at least six police officers cuffing van Reenen. Patrons stared on at the puzzling scene as the officers asked Van Reenen to remain calm. The officers appeared ready to wrestle should the ‘accused’ have become resistant, despite his stellar reputation in the greater Kimberley community.
“As one of the leading beef producers in the country, Beefmaster takes its role as a corporate citizen seriously. We care about our community and regularly contribute to projects that improve the livelihoods of people, especially in areas in which we operate. It is therefore a privilege to support CANSA through this worthwhile cause,” said Roelie van Reenen, the ‘accused’s’ brother, as well as supply chain director at Beefmaster.
Beefmaster will contribute R10 000 to van Reenen’s ‘bail’, which will be donated to CANSA. In addition, Beefmaster will be raising funds from community members which will be used by CANSA for care and support programmes for cancer patients’ specific needs. To donate to the worthy cause, please contact Beefmaster at hotline@beefmaster.co.za.
For more information, please contact Andries van der Merwe (CANSA) at avdmerwe@cansa.org.za, or call 084 242 2220.
Visit www.cansa.org.za or www.cansa-active.org.za, or contact the nearest CANSA Care Centre, call CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22 or email: info@cansa.org.za. CANSA offers multi-lingual support on WhatsApp: 0721979305 for English and Afrikaans and 0718673530 for Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho and Siswati. Follow CANSA on Twitter: @CANSA (http://www.twitter.com/CANSA), join CANSA on Facebook: CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa and follow CANSA on Instagram: @cancerassociationofsouthafrica
ABOUT CANSA (editor’s notes)
CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer. CANSA is a leading role-player in cancer research (more than R12 million spent annually) and the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes, as well as strengthen our watchdog role to the greater benefit of the public. Our health programmes comprise health and education campaigns; CANSA Care Centres that offer a wide range of care and support services to those affected by cancer; stoma and other clinical support and organisational management; medical equipment hire, as well as a toll-free line to offer information and support. We also supply patient care and support in the form of 11 CANSA Care Homes in the main metropolitan areas for out-of-town cancer patients; a Wellness Centre based in Polokwane; and CANSA-TLC lodging for parents and guardians of children undergoing cancer treatment.
