BLOEMFONTEIN: The Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team has made a breakthrough in the burglary at the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) building in Bloemfontein, almost two years after the break-in.
A 28-year-old man already serving time in prison was arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred on the night of 23 December 2023.
The building is in the Bloemfontein CBD. The incident had raised eyebrows as it was reported there are 24-hour security personnel on-site.
Lt Col Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed the arrest in a statement released today (14 September). The suspect will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Monday 15 September, on burglary-related charges. Mohobeleli said the suspect’s arrest on Friday, 12 September was the culmination of an in-depth investigation by the Crimes Against the State (CAT) unit of the Hawks.
“The suspect was traced to a prison in Wepener. DNA samples, including blood stains collected at the scene and taken to the forensic laboratory connect the suspect to the burglary,” said Mohobeleli. He added that the investigations also uncovered that the suspect could be linked to a trail of burglaries. “It was discovered the suspect is wanted for at least six cases of burglary, mostly committed in the Bloemfontein CBD,” said Mohobeleli. According to him the suspect was sentenced in June this year to three years direct imprisonment on an unrelated burglary charge.
Mohobeleli said a preliminary investigation discovered the then unidentified intruder broke into the offices and stole laptops and audio recorders but reportedly did not access sensitive information.
“He had forced entry into the building through a window. Several valuable items such as laptops were missing,” said Mohobeleli.
