Strandfontein mosque is sharing footage, of the burglar that broke into the premises last weekend, all over social media. They hope that someone will recognise the man.
The footage was taken from the Masjiedul Bahr Mosque’s internal cameras. It shows the burglar moving around the sacred area of the mosque and stealing mics, speakers, a fan and a fire extinguisher.
Mosque administrator Ebrahim de Roos, said the break-in happened at 02:50 on Monday.
Worshippers who came to make the first call to prayer discovered the theft. The mosque had to borrow a mic to make the call to prayer.
De Roos said there are no cameras outside the mosque but the next door neighbour’s backyard camera was also triggered as the burglar escaped over the back gate into the farm area. De Roos said the burglar gained access by breaking one of the building’s side windows.
The floor was littered with broken glass and De Roos said they were unable to clean it up until police had dusted for fingerprints so worshippers prayed alongside broken shards of glass while a cold draft blew in from the broken window.
Police arrived at around 10:00, De Ross said, and the mosque had repaired the window but the stolen equipment has yet to be replaced.
Security upgrade
De Roos said that the mosque has had very few break-ins in its 42-year existence and, to date, has needed very little security. The current security system includes eight internal cameras, burglar bars on the windows that open and security gates. They are now looking at adding eight more cameras outside, burglar bars on all the windows and an alarm system. However they first need to secure the funds, De Roos said.
He said the mosque has shared the video on social media hoping that someone would identify the thief.
Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, of the police’s provincial media centre, said the estimated cost of the stolen equipment is R10 000.
“Strandfontein SAPS registered a burglary case for investigation following a break-in at the mosque during Sunday night, 17 August,” he said. “The incident was reported on Monday. “Preliminary reports suggest that the suspect(s) gained entrance to the premises through a window and stole sound equipment (speakers. microphones and cabling) and a fire extinguisher to the estimated value of more than R10 000.”
Anyone with information about the burglary can contact the investigating officer, Sgt Sharon Rinquest, on 079 894 1208 or call Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
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