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City zeros in on computer hard drive thief

Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 19 Oct 2020

A 36-year-old suspect, masquerading as a City of Johannesburg (COJ) employee, allegedly stole 60 computer hard drives and is expected to appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court today.

This is after she was arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) at the weekend, says the COJ.

The hard drives worth R100 000 were stolen from various workstations at the city’s offices in Braamfontein, according to a COJ statement.

In the statement, the city says on 14 October, its Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) department was notified of suspected theft and damage of computers from a number of departments, including town planning, municipal courts and group legal and contracts.

The suspect allegedly gained access into the building by giving security personnel false information, including a SAP number. Her movements were spotted on CCTV footage.

“The suspect was again seen yesterday [Sunday] moving around the building carrying a bag with tools,” says the COJ. “A search for her began and she was caught allegedly trying to break into the legislature offices by breaking the main door which leads to the offices.”

She was then arrested by members of the JMPD, it states.

According to the city, the suspect was questioned and confessed to the crime, but gave the team a wrong residential address. “A correct residential address was later obtained and the property was searched but nothing was found.”

The COJ has encouraged residents to report any fraud and corruption activities through its 24-hour tipoff hotline on 0800 002 587, or by visiting the GFIS offices located at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.

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