Question NW2497 to the Minister of Economic Development
11 September 2017 - NW2497
Atkinson, Mr P to ask the Minister of Economic Development
(1) What are the details of the cases that were being investigated on the laptops that were stolen from the Competition Commission’s Cartel Conduct Investigation Unit on or about 8 August 2017; (2) whether the (a) serial numbers and/or (b) Internet Protocol Addresses of the stolen laptops can be traced; if so, have the laptops been recovered; (3) what are the details of all security measures that are in place at the Competition Commission’s head office in Pretoria to prevent burglaries at its offices; (4) whether any evidence relating to the break-in have been recovered from closed-circuit television cameras; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) (a) what is the case numbers of the cases opened at the SA Police Services in respect of the stolen laptops and (b) what is the status of the progress made in this regard as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
On 8 August 2017, there was a break-in at the offices of the Competition Commission during which laptops containing details of current investigationsa by the Commission, were stolen. The Commission reported the matter to the SAPS and obtained case number CAS 293/8/2017 from the Sunnyside SAPS station. The matter was raised by the Minister of Economic Development with the Minister of Police. The case is being transferred to the Hawks.
Evidence in the possession of the Commission relating to the break-in have been handed over to the police to aid their investigation. No laptops have as been recovered.
Steps have been taken by the Commission following the break-in to improve security. I am sure the Honourable Member will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to place details of such measures in the public domain, nor furnish more information as the matter is currently under investigation by the law enforcement authorities.
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