At about 06:50 on 8 November 2021, Warrant Officer BJ Pienaar phoned LT-COL Prinsloo about a big problem, and upon going down the stairs, Prinsloo smelled a peculiar scent of ground metal or steel and discovered Pienaar's office trashed with the safe door half open, blue chair in the passage, locks ground off, and the passage covered in dark powdery substance with all exhibits taken.
“It was about 10 to 7, Warrant Officer BJ Pienaar phoned me and said we had a big problem and I must come down to his office. As I was starting to walk down the steps, I could smell a peculiar scent / smell, which you normally have when metal has been grinded open with a metal or steel grinder. When I got down, I saw that Pienaar's office was trashed. I also noticed that the safe door was standing half way open and the blue chair which was inside the safe was standing outside in the passage and that both locks were grinded off. The passage was covered in dark powdery substance. I walked to the safe and saw that all the exhibits was taken.”