Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of Groot Constantia’s historic slave bell, part of a declared provincial heritage site.
The brass bell dates back to 1814 and was reported missing on Sunday September 1 last year.
The theft triggered a police investigation led by the Diep River Detective Service, assisted by the Wildlife Trafficking and Cultural Heritage Working Group of the Hawks in the Western Cape. The Constantia Watch supported the police with their investigation.
According to Diep River police chief Lieutenant Colonel Ansley Jacobs, the charges brought against the suspects include theft and contravention of Section 27(18) of the National Heritage Resources Act.
The investigation led to the recovery of the bell clapper in Constantia in November last year, but the remaining parts of the bell are still missing.
“The first suspect was arrested on Friday November 1, at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, where he appeared in connection with an unrelated matter. The second suspect was arrested on Saturday February 15, in Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia, by the Constantia Watch Special Response Team and K9 unit for an unrelated matter involving the possession of presumed stolen property.
“The second suspect appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday February 17 to face charges related to the stolen bell and possession of presumed stolen property,” Lt Col Jacobs said.
Both suspects were known to the Constantia Watch Special Response Team and had links to the settlement behind Checkers Emporium, said Constantia Watch chairman Trevor Vroom.
Groot Constantia appeals to anyone with information about the current whereabouts of the stolen brass bell to contact the police. A reward of up to R20 000 is being offered by Groot Constantia for information that leads to its recovery.
Contact Groot Constantia at enquiries@grootconstantia.co.za or Crime Stop at 08600 10111 if you have any information.
