Break-in at mosque ‘a despicable act’
The sheikh at a mosque in Eagle Park has called on the community to come forward with information about a break-in that set the place of worship and eduction centre back tens of thousands of rands.
The Cape Islamic Education Centre (CTIEC), which is part of the Masjiedul Kareem mosque, was burgled earlier this week while the facility was closed because staff were on break.
Thieves broke into the facility in Eleventh Avenue by prying at several doors and eventually gained access through a window on the morning of Tuesday December 26 (Day of Goodwill) at 1.30am, said Sheikh Sayed Ridwhaan.
The suspect made their way to the facility’s media room where he took several items including; laptops, a camera, camera lenses, hard drives and memory cards used by the facility to do live-streams, take pictures at their events and other media-related work.
“It’s actually a despicable act and it is very shocking when someone breaks in to churches, mosques and educational centres. In this case it is probably someone who eats from the same place because we have a feeding scheme for the people of Eagle Park,” said Sheikh Ridwhaan.
Footage of one of the suspects had been captured on security cameras.
Sheikh Ridwhaan appealed to anyone who can identify the suspect or with information about the suspect to come forward, and to people to refrain from buying the stolen items and to report anyone trying to sell the stolen items.
“We ask people not to buy these stolen items but instead to report the people selling them so that we have a chance to recover the items.”
Grassy Park police are investigating a case of burglary and have appealed to the community to call them at 021 700 3900 or 021 700 3902 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 if they have any leads on the break-in.