Mitchell’s Plain residents have been urged not to buy office equipment stolen from the Mitchell’s Plain Skills Centre, which was ransacked at the weekend.
The centre in Westridge has also put up a reward of R10 000 for the return of six stolen computers, which contains student information.
A further R10 000 will be paid if the culprits are arrested and convicted.
In addition to the six computers, a colour printer, two projectors, two petty cash boxes, an urn, kettle, microwave oven, toaster, and cups and saucers were stolen during the break-in in the early hours of Sunday July 28.
Police and security guards were on site before 7am. Yesterday, Tuesday July 30, centre chairman, Frank Fredericks, was still reeling from the incident.
“We are really devastated by what has happened. I am very sad about it but we live and fight another day,” he said.
The skills centre was established as a non-profit company in 2010, to promote access to quality education and skills development in Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha.
Mr Fredericks said the loss is in excess of R200 000.
“We have back-up but these were our learners’ records, attendance registers and stipends to be paid,” he said.
The centre has180 students, some who work off site.
He said because files were tampered with they are worried that important documents will not be found.
“We are taking each hour as it comes and have access to one computer to help recover data,” he said.
Mitchell’s Plain police station spokesman, Captain Ian Williams, said a case of house breaking and theft is being investigated. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the equipment or the culprits, can call Mitchell’s Plain police station on 021 370 1706.