A brass boat steering wheel, copper pipe pieces, door handles and other items were stolen from the Whale House Museum at the Old Harbour in Hermanus.
Overstrand Deputy Mayor and Mayco Member for Protection Services and Crime Prevention, Lindile Ntsabo, reported the theft was discovered on Saturday 27 August.
He expressed concern that “criminals seem to be targeting NGOs and ‘soft’ businesses for equipment such as computers, printers, iron and shelves”. Ntsabo added that increasing incidents of break-ins at these kinds of facilities are a serious cause for concern.
“These acts come at a great cost, as resources that would have assisted with other programmes have to be redirected for repairs and maintenance.
“Municipal law-enforcement teams will assist the police in checking scrapyard dealers and second-hand shops. Members of the public and businesses must not buy or accept any goods from people without any proper identification of the items from the seller.”
Ntsabo confirmed a case of burglary had been registered with Hermanus police, and urged anyone with information on the matter to contact the authorities.
Captain Fadila September, spokesperson for Hermanus Police, said no arrests had been made yet. “CID is handling the matter and are checking CCTV footage to help with identifying possible suspects,” she added.