Craig Murray: Facebook
The Olympic Gold Medal of South African swimming icon Joan Breetzke (Harrison) has been stolen.
Her family is now making a desperate attempt to have the medal returned to them after it was stolen during a house robbery in the Selborne area of East London last Friday the 30th of December.
The medal was taken when robbers broke into the home of her grandson Craig Murray.
He told AlgoaFM News that the culprits stole the usual household items including TV sets and jewellery.
However, they also managed to break open a safe and help themselves to Joan's 100 metre backstroke gold medal which she won at the Helsinki Games in Finland in 1952.
The Joan Harrison swimming pool complex in East London was later named in her honour.
Murray and his family were actually with Joan, who is now in her late 80s, at her home in Cintsa East outside East London at the time of the incident.
"She's very upset and disappointed but trying to be positive after we told her about the theft of her Olympic medal, which was also stored in a special Olympic case," said Murray.
"We have obviously opened a case with the police and are trying to get the word out that this priceless medal, and the rich swimming history that it represents, has been stolen."
Anyone who may know the whereabouts of Joan Harrison's Olympic Gold Medal is asked to contact their nearest police station or reach Craig Murray on Facebook and message him directly.
A reward is also being offered for the medal's safe return.
