Klerksdorp Rekord, Klerksdorp - A local artist well-known for his craftsmanship with metal art sculptures is concerned after two of his sculptures were stolen in broad daylight.
The area on the corner of Dr Yusuf Dadoo- and Austin Street is known for its display of beautiful metal art and garden ornaments and the site has for years now been home to a select few to show and sell their exquisite work. One of the artists, the Mozambican Enias Chingombe has been trading from this spot for years, without incident except when two of his sculpted horses disappeared overnight two years ago.
Last week Sunday, January 5, he was again the victim of theft. Two faces, sculpted from metal washers were taken and not paid for. Flip Fourie, a former client of Chingombe, reported the theft to Klerksdorp Record after hearing about it from the artist.
“It poured down that Sunday and Enias did not go to the stall as usual. The lady who sits at the other stall told him that a couple stopped in a Landcruiser, a woman got out of the vehicle and inspected the sculptures and then they drove away. Later that afternoon, they stopped again, both of them got out of the vehicle and they loaded the two face sculptures, a small one and a bigger one, inside the Landcruiser and drove off.’’
For Enias this is a loss of about R8 000. He hopes that the couple will return and pay him the money for the sculptures and that everything is just a big misunderstanding. “It takes me about three days to work on a sculpture like that. I am very negative about it. Please, return the sculptures or bring me my money,’’ he pleads.
Flip is also angry that people can be so disrespectful. “If they drive a Landcruiser, they can certainly pay for the sculptures. This man works hard and doesn’t deserve treatment like this.’’
Anyone who has any information on the whereabouts of the wall sculptures, can phone Enias on 078 718 6666.
