Office block housing elite South African police unit broken into for fifth time in three weeks
Break-ins have raised fears over security of classified information
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The building housing offices used by an elite South African police unit and Interpol in Pretoria has been broken into for the fifth time in three weeks.
The latest theft, believed to have taken place over the weekend but discovered only on Monday, has raised fears over the security of classified information.
Thieves stole laptops and electronic equipment from the offices of the anti-corruption police unit, known as the Hawks, after gaining entry with access cards and codes.
A crime intelligence source, quoted by The Times Live, said the burglars appeared to be returning again and again because they were not finding the information they were looking for.
"They use the same modus operandi, coming back again and again to find what they are looking for. They are now going from floor to floor," the source said.
However, police spokesperson Solomon Makgale said: "At this point we believe it is highly unlikely that those behind the burglaries are interested in the information contained on the laptops but are rather more interested in making quick cash.”
Some of the laptops from the first burglary have been recovered from a pawn dealership.
Mr Makgale said there was no evidence to suggest the thefts were the result of an inside job.
A spokesperson for Hawks stressed the crime did not appear to be serious.
In July criminals removed laptops and electronic equipment from the offices of the International Police.
The Hawks, formally known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, target organised crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crime.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments