In what can be seen as a warning to other businesses, the offices of EstateNet Estate Agents were robbed on Friday morning, 25 January, in broad daylight.

The robbery took place at the agency’s offices situated on the corner of Reitz and Rissik Street between 07:15 and 08:00.

According to Mr Bertus Bezuidenhout, owner and manager of the agency, he was in his office after having unlocked the front door. He was busy training some junior personnel and did not experience anything out of the ordinary.

"When one of the ladies working here came in a little later, she called me over with the news that the door of one of the other offices had been forced open. Upon investigation, we determined that the portable safe, a radio and two digital cameras had been stolen," said Bezuidenhout.

The office in question is fairly dark, even in daylight, and the thieves made use of a candle. The wax from the burning candle was found all over the floor. This indicates that the thieves knew the situation and had come prepared. They also knew exactly where to look for valuables.

"What would have happened if we had surprised them in the act?" is what they want to know. The possibility that one or more of the thieves might have been armed cannot be excluded.

"The irony is that I sent one of the staff that I was training to fetch some coffee and he walked right past the window of the office in question. The thieves were probably looking at him as he was making the coffee," said Bezuidenhout.

"One cannot believe that criminals have become so bold as to walk into a business in broad daylight, steal some things and just walk out again." It was found later that someone had tried to force open another door from the outside sometime earlier. The possibility that the thieves had posed as potential clients in order to scout the location can also not be excluded. Other businesses should be aware of this possibility and be on the lookout.

The people at Estate Net are full of praise for the way in which the police reacted to their call for help.

"They came very quickly and have been thorough in trying to find fingerprints and other evidence. We are grateful for their assistance and efforts," they say. The police are still investigating.