Rodney Mpanga, who arrived in Middelburg a couple of weeks ago, had his handmade grass and wood furniture destroyed by a group of drunken men last week Sunday.

Mr Mpanga says that he awoke to the noise of a pick-up with a trailer at around 03:00 on Sunday morning.

The occupants of the vehicle had loaded pieces of furniture and were throwing it from the back of the bakkie as far as they drove.

A Good Samaritan helped Mr Mpanga pick up the destroyed pieces on Sunday morning. The estimated value of the damage is close to R10 000.

A vehicle fitting the description of the one Mr Mpanga gave, was seen at the Pavilion bar on Sunday night.

The occupants thereof were described as rowdy trouble makers.

Management refused to provide the Middelburg Observer with pictures of the men saying that they will only provide video material or stills with a court order. According to information, one of the men, only known as Andries, is a regular patron.

He is not known as a troublemaker and the vehicle in question does not belong to him.

• Readers reacted with anger about the article. Many people say that they know Mr Mpanga and one reader said that even he offered to teach her how to weave her own baskets.