Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane says his private office was broken into at his residence in Bryanston, Johannesburg, resulting in the theft of computers and laptops containing sensitive information related to his work.
Sikhakhane is one of South Africa’s most prominent advocates who has recently been involved in several legal battles of national significance, appearing in both high-profile political and constitutional matters.
He represented former President Jacob Zuma at the Zondo Commission and in his arms deal case and founded the Pan African Bar Association of South Africa.
He continues to represent former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser in the Phala Phala matter.
Sikhakhane also represented KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in a defamation case in the Durban High Court. He later represented the National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola in a high-stakes criminal case stemming from the controversy over irregularly awarded R360 million SAPS health services contract linked to the Medicare24 tender.
Sikhakhane said the stolen laptops and computers prove the robbers were after information, adding that they left many other valuable items behind.
“There is work that they took, but it is not that sensitive. They took laptops and it was clear what they wanted because they could have taken many other things where they were,” he said, adding that there was a music system and many other things.
“All they took was a desktop and laptop,” he added.
He said he was in Durban when he heard of the incident and had to drive to Johannesburg on Saturday.
“It is clear to me that all they really wanted was the computers. When they take computers alone it makes you wonder. And looking at the current state of clients that I am dealing with at the moment, it does make you wonder if people come in and just take computers and leave an expensive music system. It is clear that they found what they thought would contain what they wanted,” he added.
Asked if suspects have been identified or arrested, Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi did not respond by deadline.
However, she told the media that police in Randburg are investigating the case.
This was not the first time Sikhakhane has been targeted at home.
In 2012, Sikhakhane and his family were targeted in a home burglary at their Northcliff home, during which highly sensitive political documents were stolen.
At the time, Sikhakhane was legally representing both former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, now the EFF leader, and Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale in separate high-profile matters.
South Africa: Burglary at Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane’s office: Sensitive information stolen
