Eikestad

Paintball Kings, a company that arranges paintball battles where opposing teams "fight it out" with special guns shoot?ing paint pellets, has been burgled three times within a few months.

According to Paintball Kings' owner, Riaan Keyser, the building of the company just outside Stellenbosch has been broken into on three occasions. "Last year thieves stole six guns on two occasions. During the latest attempt last Thursday night, they stole four guns, several game jackets, about 1 000 pellets, a gas container, as well as chips and sweets from the tuckshop. The thieves left a trail of pellets and empty chips packets? in the direction of the Cloetesville neigh?bourhood," a despondent Riaan said.

The culprits were not deterred by several safety measures Riaan had put in place after the last burglary. "They short-circuited the alarm system by cutting the electricity supply wire, leaving the place pitch dark. Then they forced open a window with burglar bars and, when inside, had to force open a padlocked freezer, in which the paintball equipment is kept. In total the damage to the property and loss of equipment amounts to more than R10 000," Riaan said.

To date no arrests have been made. Karen Marnitz, a relative of Riaan, has offered an award of R1 000 to anyone who can supply information about the incident, or about the stolen equipment that will lead to a successful arrest. Her number is 021 905 5379/80.