SOUTH AFRICA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN BIOLOGY OF SCHOOLDITonline - Human Biology computers stolen - twice
Human Biology computers stolen - twice
Tuesday, Nov 02 2004

The computer lab at the Department of Human Biology has been broken in twice in the past month and all 25 of their computers reserved for students stolen.
The laboratory was first broken into during the September holidays, and half the computers were stolen, said Thys Walters, the head of the Department of Human Biology. This theft was discovered when tech reopened, on October 4.

Then three weeks later, on October 27, the lab was robbed again and the remaining computers stolen, said Walters. “It seems half of the computers were stolen the first time and then the other half was stolen,” said Walters. “There were 25 computers taken. I have spoken to asset control guys so the tech insurance will replace the computers before the new programme starts next year.”

He added, “We are fortunate that no academic programme has been disrupted because of it [the theft].”

Head of security at DIT, Isaac Cele, said, “The human biology lab was broken into. The police and we are also investigating the matter. A bolt-cutter was used to enter the lab but I don’t understand where the guards on duty were.”

Cele added, “The person who did this must have been banging on the gate because there was blood outside and there was blood on the computers that were left behind in the lab. It is amazing that the guards did not hear them.

“The police are very good because they have recovered some of the computers that were stolen and were sold at the Durban Beachfront over the weekend,” said Cele. He said he wasn’t sure how many of the computers had been recovered, and didn’t know any more details at this stage. The investigating officer, TV Khumalo, could not be contacted for comment before the time of publication.

A bolt-cutter was used to enter the lab but I don’t understand where the guards on duty were

- Head of security at DIT, Isaac Cele
DIT spokesperson, Michelle Sprackett, said, “The [second] theft of computers from the Department of Human Biology was discovered by security staff on the morning of the 27th October. Bolt cutters had been used to cut open the burglar bars on a window of the laboratory. Two of the laboratory's CPUs were stripped and a monitor was later found by security staff outside the Chiropractic Department. The case has been reported to the SAPS.”

She added, “A recommendation has been made that all laboratories be fitted with electronic alarms to prevent such cases from re-occurring. Protection Services is investigating the case internally.”
On August 4, DITonline reported an incident in which two past DIT students were caught and charged with housebreaking and theft after they were caught allegedly stripping components from computers in the Architectural Laboratory in S6, Level 0 at Steve Biko during the July holidays.