In an act of astonishing audacity, a suspected thief made off with a pot of chicken curry that was still actively cooking on a gas stove in South Africa. The incident, which reads more like a scene from a comedy film than a real police report, has left residents and authorities baffled.
The Scene of the Sizzling Snatch
The bizarre event took place on Havenwood Road in Trenance Park, KwaZulu-Natal. According to a statement released by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) on Monday, January 19, 2026, their officers swiftly responded to a report of a theft at the location.
Upon arrival, the shocked homeowner narrated the sequence of events to the reaction officers. He explained that he had been preparing a meal in his yard, with a pot of chicken curry simmering on a portable gas stove. The man then stepped inside his house for a brief moment, intending only to switch on a radio.
A Vanished Meal in Minutes
The homeowner's brief indoor interlude proved costly. He returned to his yard after just a few minutes, only to be met with an empty space where his cooking setup had been. Both the pot of curry and the gas stove itself had disappeared.
In their official communication, RUSA stated, "The homeowner did not witness anyone entering the yard and could not confirm who was responsible for the mid-meal theft." This detail adds to the mystery, suggesting the thief executed the brazen act with surprising speed and stealth, leaving no immediate witness.
Reactions and Unanswered Questions
This unusual crime raises more questions than it answers. The thief's motivation remains unclear. Was it a crime of desperate hunger, a prank gone too far, or a calculated theft of the gas cylinder with the meal as an unexpected bonus? The fact that the pot was actively on fire during the theft introduces a significant element of danger, indicating a perpetrator willing to take serious risks.
Local crime prevention units often advise residents to remain vigilant, even within their own property. This incident serves as a stark reminder that opportunistic crimes can happen in a matter of moments, targeting even the most mundane activities like cooking. The RUSA continues to investigate the case, but as of now, the culprit and the sizzling stolen supper remain at large.
