SOUTH AFRICA COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.citizen.co.za/citizen/content/en/citizen/local-news?oid=202093&sn=Detail&pid=146852&NWest-educ-MEC-probes-computer-theft

NWest educ MEC probes computer theft

North West education MEC Boikanyo Raymond Elisha has instituted an investigation into the alleged irregular appointment of security service providers, his office said on Tuesday.

14 June 2011 | Sapa

    

JOHANNESBURG - North West education MEC Boikanyo Raymond Elisha has instituted an investigation into the alleged irregular appointment of security service providers, his office said on Tuesday.

This was "due to... burglaries at the department's offices throughout the province", said spokesman Gershwin Chuenyane in a statement.

"MEC Elisha is hell-bent on dealing with the security frailties that make the department an easy target to computer thieves. He will also make the report public as soon as the investigation is completed."

More than 14 computers, or parts of computers, were stolen out of two provincial education department buildings in Mahikeng last week.

The first burglary at Auxiliary Services Directorate happened around midnight on Thursday while another took place at the Mahikeng Area Project Office around midnight on Friday.

"They did not use force to gain entry into the premises and would only break the back exits when leaving with the computers. In the two burglaries they also cut the fence in a similar manner and left foot prints."

This had "prompted [the MEC] to institute an investigation into the [alleged] irregular appointment of security service providers", said Chuenyane.