IN criminal activity outside the norm, some botanical boffin is systematically ransacking orchid houses in Richards Bay, carefully selecting and stealing the best blooms.
The thefts began in January and since then there has been a growing spate of these crimes, with over 100 valuable orchid plants and ornamentals stolen.
Among the victims being two members of the Zululand Orchid Society.
No shrinking violet, the perpetrator’s modus operandi is to jump border fences in the early hours of the morning, over weekends.
Plants are usually taken with their baskets or pots and name tags are left behind where plants are ripped out of their containers.
‘The person seems to have a good knowledge of orchids as African species; Cattleya and Phalaenopsis species and hybrids; exotic species and hybrids as well as other valuable ornamentals are inter alia removed,’ said one member who has been robbed of prized possessions.
‘It also seems that the person is in a hurry as pieces of plants are either collected from plants too big to carry, or are dropped on the ground or on the escape route.
‘Footprints indicate that the person is wearing boots.’
Members of the public who might have any information in this regard are requested to report it to the Richards Bay police.
