The SABC has been forced to employ a private security company after thieves stole a computer monitor from their Outside Broadcasting (OB) van in the early hours of Friday morning.
The SABC has been forced to employ a private security company after thieves stole a computer monitor from their Outside Broadcasting (OB) van in the early hours of Friday morning.
SAFM Marketing Manager, Siphelele Siqaso told Grocott's Mail on Friday that shocked SAFM presenters and technicians had made the discovery when they reported for duty earlier that morning.
Siqaso said it appeared that the thieves had climbed the wall next to the Drostdy Arch, using its cover to break into the van, parked there for the duration of the Festival. Critical of the police, Siqaso said while during the day they could be seen everywhere, the same couldn't be said about the nights during Festival.
"The police should be as visible at night, because most crimes surely happen at night," he said. While Siqaso couldn't tell Grocott's Mail how much the damage would cost, and while he said they had got off relatively lightly, with only a computer monitor being stolen, he said they were left with no option but to employ a private security company for the duration of the Festival.
But while the broken window left SAFM presenters temporarily cold and exposed to the elements, it didn't dampen their spirits. "All the technical staff wanted to know was whether they were still going to be able to carry on," Siqaso said.
"We have been covering the festival for the past 15 or so years, and not even this can keep us from this amazing festival," he said. Meanwhile, a local glass company was busy fitting the new windows.
