LAST week my laptop was stolen at a fast-food franchise in Melville, Joburg. The incident was very inconvenient and somewhat traumatic.

LAST week my laptop was stolen at a fast-food franchise in Melville, Joburg. The incident was very inconvenient and somewhat traumatic.

But the silver lining around this particular cloud was the service I received from the Brixton police station.

The day after the incident I went to look at surveillance camera footage and reported the theft to the police, not holding out much hope of a good outcome. Reporting it was the usual slightly drawn-out experience of having my statement taken by a somewhat surly female officer.

But less than half an hour later I received an SMS from the SAPS confirming that they had received my statement. They provided a number I could contact the next day for my case number.

Less than 12 hours later, before I even called, I received a call from a Constable Matema informing me that he would be handling my caseand that he needed the serial number of the laptop. He also gave me my case number there and then.

Twenty-four hours later, when I was still looking for the serial number, he called again to ask me to come in for a status report.

Matema told me there wasn't much they could do without any further leads as the faces of the thieves were not clearly revealed on the film footage, but that they would take it further once I provided the serial number.

I cannot begin to describe how much I appreciate this. It was almost worth losing my laptop to discover the commitment of unsung hero Constable Matema, with a turnaround time that would put many a business executive to shame! And I don't believe he's the only one.

I would like to thank Constable Matema and the Brixton police station because they gave me hope for the future.

Linette Retief, Gauteng