Party memberships could have triggered burglary

THE ANC’s Dr W B Rubusana region has not ruled out the possibility that party memberships were the target of a break-in yesterday at their Oxford Street offices.

This according to acting regional deputy secretary Mthetheleli Sam after the burglary in the early hours of the morning was stopped when a security guard fired shots and frightened the burglars away.

Police confirmed they were investigating a case of housebreaking after six men broke into the ANC offices.

Sam, however, said the party would allow the police to do their work although the party could not rule out membership information as a target being the year of the ANC national conference.

“Remember, without memberships forms the office is rendered completely useless and no BGMs preparing for the national conference can be convened,” said Sam.

“But we do not want to make conclusions as police are still carrying out their investigation.”

Police said nothing was stolen thanks to the security guard on duty who opened fire to scare off the suspects.

No one had been arrested at the time of writing yesterday as police were still following leads.

According to East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala, the incident took place at 1am yesterday when suspects gained entry via a back entrance.

Drama ensued when the guard fired shots towards the kitchen where the suspects were at the time.

Said Mqala: “The 45-year-old security guard was on duty at the reception when he heard people talking in the kitchen which is at the back.

“He came to the realisation that these were intruders since they did not enter the building through the front and he thus fired several shots with his 9mm pistol towards the kitchen hitting the wall.”

The guard, said Mqala, then pursued the men, believed to be foreign nationals, as they were running away from the crime scene trying to apprehend them.

“Nothing was stolen since the suspects were interrupted,” said Mqala.

A case of housebreaking with intent to commit crime had been opened. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za