Woman nabbed for theft of equipment worth millions from Fish River Resort
A 29-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Peddie Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in connection with a looting spree at the Fish River Sun Resort in Port Alfred over the weekend.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Priscilla Naidoo says the suspects fled with equipment worth millions of rands.
“Thieves stole nearly everything, including stoves, fridges and TVs in every single room at the resort. The office areas were also broken into and all computers and projectors were stolen. The damage incurred is estimated to be millions of rands.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development says they are not involved in the running of the resort.
Spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo says the community took it upon themselves to set up a film studio.
“Land claims were lodged by the Prudhoe and Mazizi communities, the matter ended up at the Land Claims court for the court to establish the rightful beneficiaries. The Land Claims Court ruled in favour of the Prudhoe community. The land was officially transferred in title to the Prudhoe Community Trust in 21 March 2021.
“The department is not involved in the current lease of the Fish River Resort. The department was only actively involved in the caretaker's arrangement with a company called Mentis which was responsible to manage the site whilst the matter was still in court awaiting finalisation.”
Ngcobo says they are working to find a solution to the problems faced by the community.
“We are aware that the Prudhoe community through their Trust entered into a lease with a company called MahalaX for the use of the property. The company had intended to set up a film studio onsite. The community concluded the deal on its own and the department was not part of the arrangement.”
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