Robbery was highly orchestrated, says Helen Suzman Foundation
THE Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) said on Monday it had been subjected
to a highly orchestrated armed robbery at its headquarters, just days after
embarking on its latest
set of litigation
against the Hawks.
On Sunday afternoon 11 computers and a printer had been stolen in a
co-ordinated robbery that immediately "raised eyebrows", foundation
director Francis Antonie said. Police were investigating, and had conducted
further investigations on Monday, and the motive was still unknown, he said.
On Friday the foundation approached the North Gauteng High Court seeking
a suspension of Hawks head Maj-Gen Berning Ntlemeza.
The foundation is seeking a review of the processes leading to his
appointment, concerned that his appointment had ignored "damning judicial
findings impugning his integrity, honesty and fitness and propriety to hold
such office".
Mr Antonie said the foundation was now without computers, which may
cause delay and inconvenience, but it would continue to fulfil its mandate.
Two well-dressed men had arrived at the premises, and after establishing
it was the foundation, had drawn a weapon and restrained a guard, Mr Antonie
said.
A woman with a notebook then directed the men regarding which computers
and which printer were to be taken, before leaving with three other individual
in a white van, he said.
"It may be an armed robbery for equipment to be resold on the
market. Alternatively, the computers along with the printer indicate access to
networks of information somebody may want," Mr Antonie said.
"This was no ordinary robbery"‚ said HSF director Francis
Antonie.
"The thieves knew exactly what they were after. We obviously do not
know who they were‚ but we have our deep suspicions."
The Democratic Alliance on Monday called for Parliament to be briefed on
the "glaringly suspect" robbery.
"Its precision and orchestration seem to be well above the pay
grade of run-of-the-mill criminal syndicates that underpin and propagate most
property crime, especially in light of the relatively low value of the assets
taken, namely computers and documents," DA spokesman for police Zakhele
Mbhele said in a statement.
The police could not immediately be reached for comment.
