Thieves steal computers containing sensitive information from Chief Justice Mogoeng's office

18 March 2017 - 19:48 By Sabelo Skiti
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Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. File photo.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. File photo.
Image: HALDEN KROG/THE TIMES

Brazen thieves made off with 15 computers containing sensitive information on Constitutional Court judges and officials after breaking into Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng's private office in the early hours of Saturday.

Mogoeng's spokesperson Nathi Mncube confirmed the break-in at the new offices in Midrand‚ Johannesburg‚ saying thieves managed to get away with computers that were in an office where the Human Resources and Facilities Units are located.

"The stolen computers contain important information about Judges and officials of the OCJ and constitute a huge setback for the entire administration of the justice‚" Mncube said.

"The break-in was reported to the South African Police Services (SAPS) and various units from SAPS were dispatched to the OCJ to conduct further investigations. Upon being informed of this crime‚ the Chief Justice remarked that this must be viewed in a very serious light and the police ought to do everything in their power to ensure that the culprits are brought to book."

The break-in comes a day after the Constitutional Court delivered a scathing judgment in a matter that saw the delivery of social grants in South Africa under threat.

During the judgment‚ in which it extended the contract of Cash Paymaster Services for 12 months‚ the court was critical of Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini for allowing a situation where the payment of grants to more than 17 million South Africans was under threat.

TMG Digital/Sunday Times

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