AN armed gang broke into the Richards Bay SPCA’s premises in the early hours of Saturday morning and made off with the entire market day float and the manager’s computer.
SPCA Inspector Shelley Prinsloo said the gang first gained entry to the premises by removing a slate of the precast walling, whereafter they broke through two wooden doors and a security gate to access the manager’s office.
They hacked open both safes, taking more than R3 000 in cash and Manager Kobie Littlejohn’s computer containing the organisation’s entire data and accounting system.
The close-circuit camera shows the syndicate wearing balaclavas and gloves, with one carrying a firearm.
Personnel residing on the premises say the dogs were barking hysterically shortly before 3am.
Chubb Security was on the scene within minutes, but missed the intruders by a few minutes.
Littlejohn says the break-in hit them hard.
‘We are a non-profit organisation. Every cent counts. We estimate our damages to be about R30 000.
‘Also, years of data are now gone, including our e-mail system.
The only silver lining was that the biker’s fraternal on Saturday coincidentally held a fun-run in aid of the SPCA, collecting a truck load of food and cash, which were handed over to Inspector Prinsloo on Saturday afternoon.
The organisation however remains in dire need of a new security door and computer system.
