[MSN] SIX priceless historical art pieces were stolen from the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe (NAGZ) in Harare. Pieces comprised four original traditional Zimbabwean headdresses better known as Mutsago and two Makonde masks from Mozambique

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Priceless Artefacts Stolen 

Financial Gazette (Harare) 
NEWS
June 7, 2006 
Posted to the web June 8, 2006 

By Stanley Kwenda Own Correspondent
Harare 

SIX priceless historical art pieces were stolen from the National Art
Gallery of Zimbabwe (NAGZ) in Harare on Tuesday afternoon, raising fears of
the existence of a cartel on the prowl for artefacts after an audit revealed
the disappearance of a staggering 1 500 pieces from the National Museum in
Harare. 

The pieces comprised four original traditional Zimbabwean headdresses better
known as Mutsago and two Makonde masks from Mozambique. The artefacts were
all made from wood and were kept in the Northern section of the gallery as
part of its permanent collection. 

"I can confirm that six unique and exquisite items were stolen from the
Gallery on Tuesday afternoon. The pieces define the Zimbabwean traditional
way of life and some of them are used as symbols of the Gallery and are very
important in the history of the country," said Doreen Sibanda, the NAGZ
Director. 

News of the theft follows an audit report revealing that some 1500 artifacts
disappeared from the National Museum of Human Sciences in Harare last year. 

According to the NAGZ official, a Caucasian man, who entered the gallery on
the day in question and refused to obey some standing rules, was the prime
suspect. 

"The pieces are also used by traditional researchers from around the world
because they contain the country's exclusive and original handiwork.
Although some art pieces of such a nature are being done for commercial
purposes these were the original ones done for purely art purposes," said
Sibanda. 

"We are working very closely with the police and we have since notified
Interpol, these pieces cannot be valued but they are very valuables pieces,"
said Sibanda. 

The NAGZ official said the pieces are usually taken to European countries
where they fetch high prices. 

http://allafrica.com/