When burglars broke into a house and yard to steal copper and bronze, they did not even realise they were entering the studio of world renowned sculptor Coert Steynberg.
The house, which was years ago turned into a museum in Pretoria North, is the second in a recent spate of thefts from Pretoria museums.
Makgolo Makgolo, CEO of the Northern Flagship Institution, said the museum has not "been active" for a while. In addition, the security system inside was broken.
He assumed that the burglars sneaked in during the night, saying he doubted if they were art thieves, wanting to help themselves to the historically valuable items in the house.
"They went into the museum yard and messed-up every electronic box, removing wires. They cut electricity cables outside and removed the copper cables. The substation on the pavement was also vandalised.
"I think they were after bronze and copper; that was why they took the window handles and taps from inside the house. They also managed to take two big bronze sculptors from the garden," the CEO said.
Makgolo said it was difficult to say exactly what artifacts were stolen, as they still had to do an inventory.
However, most of Steynberg's most valuable works were kept at the National Cultural History Museum in the city.
"The theft came to my attention on Wednesday.
"We have already arranged to have 24-hour physical security on the premises," he said.
This incident came barely after a break-in at the National Cultural History Museum, where burglars managed to break into the vault and stole Kruger Rands and other valuables.
Makgolo said both incidents had been reported to the police.
He felt government should give more resources to museums for security and general upgrading, to ensure that the country's "invaluable and irreplaceable heritage is well protected and presented".
In addition, Makgolo said the protection and conservation of this heritage was a collective responsibility, therefore it was imperative that the private sector also contributed to the upkeep of museums.
- Steynberg made numerous life-size statues, including the one of former president Paul Kruger at the Kruger National Park and various other memorial statues of South African public figures.