Jailed for charity

Cansa West Rand held their annual “Jail and Bail” fundraiser on 2 November at Silverstar Casino.

Complete with mock prison cell and real policemen, local business people plus a well-known celebrity, were arrested and made to appear before a mock judge. Here they were granted bail, but kept in prison until they could raise enough money for their bail. The inmates had to phone friends, family and colleagues to raise the bail, which was then donated to Cansa West Rand.

Security gate and window manufacturer Tonicdor sponsored the prison and the inmates consisted of Captain Troy Laas, cluster head of Honeydew Police reservists; Bachelorette of the Year finalists Michelle Hinrichsen and Anneli Crous; 2012 Miss SA finalist Cindy Seeber; medic Eric Nichollas from Vitamed Ambulance Services and 2006 Supersterre runner-up George Meiring.

“This was a terrible ordeal,” chuckled Captain Laas sarcastically. “They just arrested us for nothing, tortured us and flung us in this cell. I think I’m going to phone the police.” And he did, for the station helped to raise his “bail” money (all of which was donated to Cansa) and he was finally set free.

Meiring tried to escape briefly, but was reprimanded by Silverstar Casino security staff. Silverstar Casino also committed itself by matching the amount of “bail” money raised and donating it toward the cause.