SOUTH AFRICA COMPUTER STOLEN Helderberg:

23/04/2009 11:34 AM - (SA)
Reward offered for stolen PC
23-04-2009



A MAN from Belgium, who owns a company in the Strand, is offering a reward of R50 000 to anyone who knows the whereabouts of his computer which was stolen from his office early on Tuesday morning.

The computer, that belonged to Paul Gorremans, owner of the Quik Vest Group, was imported to South Africa and contained all the company's data and information.

The NEC computer box, two screens, a bag and a powerpack was stolen from his office.

A devastated Mr Gorremans said he was contemplating leaving the country after the break in.

"The computer contains years of hard work and information on projects as well as the designs of our machines that we manufacture ourselves.

I have also collected information from over 60 factories and business men from around the world.

The information is invaluable. I am very upset and unhappy."

According to an employee, the thieves entered the premises through the fence and broke the door to Mr Gorremans' office.

The employee said the security staff on duty told him everything was still in order when the night shift did their last patrol at 05:00, but when the day shift patrolled at 06:00, the robbery had already taken place.

Company auditor Carmen Jackson described Gorremans as "a man with a heart of gold and a true giver to the under-privileged".

"He is involved in RDP housing projects and has invented so many projects to save the costs of building, but also to make good quality housing. He was not born here and he does not owe anything to South Africa, but he has put his heart and soul into this company to see the fruits of his knowledge in rural arrears," said Jackson.

Gorremans stopped production on Tuesday and sent his employees to distribute flyers that offer the reward for the stolen computer.

He says the computer has a Sherwood label on it which makes it unique in South Africa.

Anyone with information about the computer can phone (021) 845-4174 or 082 303 0523.