De-luxe Constantia mansions looted of priceless antique jewellery

 

German-accented robbers’ haul: millions of Rands worth of unique, antique jewellery

  November 6 2009 - A robber who handed some of his loot to employees in the Constantia mansion he broke into got away with millions of rand worth of jewellery. Four days ago three massive Constantia mansions were targeted and residents held at gun- or knifepoint, reports Caryn Dolley from Cape Town. However some employees also got R10,000 in cash from the robbers…

Some of South Africa’s most high-profile super-rich, including top politicians and nouveau-riche highflyers, live in these massive Constantia mansions. The names of the victims have not been released, however. Police in and around the luxurious suburb of Constantia are now working around the clock to try and nab the criminals.Venter said the man gave staff members R10 000 each

In the most bizarre of the three incidents, one man  who according to police had a German accents, got into one 56-roomed Constantia mansion for the second time within a few weeks – and then gave employees R10, 000 in cash fromof the money he had stolen from a safe there.

The robber, who had got into the Duntor Close home on Tuesday wearing the clothes he had stolen from the mansion a few weeks ago, managed to get away with R40,000 cash, a firearm and millions of rand worth of jewellery from a safe. On Thursday police spokesman Andre Venter said although the value of the jewellery was not yet known, it was estimated to be worth "millions and millions".

Police fails to provide pictures of the antique jewellery for publication:

Pictures of the jewellery, taken before the scores of unique, antique pieces were stolen and showing how they had been positioned in the safe, show some 73 items including necklaces, watches, earrings, broaches and rings.

Unfortunately the police did not submit these pictures for publication – which would have helped them in their search, since these pictures would then also be picked up by international jewellery outlets specialising in such rare antique jewellery…

The intricately designed pieces consist of pearls, diamonds, gold and silver. Some of the more distinct pieces include a detailed butterfly broach, a diamond dog broach, a single strand pearl necklace with a bow-shaped clasp and an emerald and amethyst on separate necklaces.

Venter said the man gave staff members R10,000 each from the safe-loot… He said officers, with the help of other sectors including the dog unit, were trying to track down the robber as well as others who had recently broken into the massive Constantia homes.

"We're working around the clock in seeking these perpetrators," Venter said. story by: caryn.dolley@inl.co.za

Picture left : This article was published on page 6 of the Cape Times on November 6, 2009: Constantia robber stole jewellery worth millions, say police