Police in KwaZulu-Natal have launched a manhunt for two suspects who broke into the Mthonjaneni Local Municipality offices in Melmoth and made off with laptops containing sensitive financial information.

The brazen break-in occurred late yesterday at the municipality’s finance department. The suspects were captured on CCTV fleeing the scene in a white Polo parked across the road.

According to a source within the municipality, the stolen laptops contained sensitive information about the finances and financial transactions of the municipality. The source expressed concern over the targeted nature of the theft.

“We are all asking ourselves why the thieves would be so brazen and do this in broad daylight. And why would they steal laptops used by the finance department,” the source said.

The police in the province confirmed to the African Times that they are investigating the break-in after a case was opened at Melmoth SAPS.

“Police in Melmoth are investigating a case of burglary following an incident in which an employee allegedly found his office door open and his laptop was missing. Other items were also reportedly stolen from other offices. The incident occurred at Mthonjaneni on 19 February 2026,” said Sergeant Thenjiswa Ngcobo, the provincial police spokesperson.