21 SCHOOLS BURGLARISED AND VANDALISED DURING LOCKDOWN

18 schools were burgled while 3 were vandalized during the 21-day Lockdown period.

Valuable equipment and school nutrition groceries were stolen during these burglaries.

Criminal activities at different schools show a trend that criminals take advantage of the 21-day lockdown to rob and vandalise schools. These incidents are experienced during school recess as schools are often soft targets because of quietness and lack of activity around them during this period.

Criminals took advantage of the lock-down to break-in and vandalise the following schools in Gauteng.

1. Mofolo Primary School in Evaton;
2. Tsokodibane Primary School in Evaton;
3. Beverly High School in Evaton;
4. Katleho Impumelo Primary School in Sebokeng; and
5. Dinokaneng Secondary School in Evaton;
6. Phuthanang Primary School in Soshanguve
7. Lotus Gardens Secondary School in Lotus Gardens
8. Makhosini Secondary School in Soshanguve
9. Nonto Primary School in Soweto
10. Isipho Primary School in Soweto
11. Bervelly Primary School in Sebokeng
12. Ikokobetse Primary School in Bophelong
13. Atlehang Primary School in Mabopane
14. Pholosho Primary School in Tsakane
15. Caiphus Nyoka Secondary in Etwatwa
16. Tlakula Secondary School in KwaThema
17. Tembisa High School in Tembisa
18. Leondale Secondary School in Leondale

Valuable equipment and school nutrition groceries were stolen during the burglaries.

This will have a huge impact and affect proper functioning of schools.

Fire erupted at three (3) schools in Tshwane because of suspected premeditated arson

The following three (3) schools were destroyed by fire:

• Amogelang Secondary School in Soshanguve;
• Lethabong Secondary School in Soshanguve; and
• Phuthanang Primary school in Soshanguve

The Gauteng Department of Education believes that a collective effort to detect and report these incidents to law enforcement agencies might yield positive results in curbing this criminality. SGB Associations are advised to reinforce security measures. Members of the Community are encouraged to protect their schools and report incidents swiftly. Members of the Community are also urged to not to buy stolen goods.

MEC Panyaza Lesufi made a plea to the police to continue prioritize schools’ patrols; and conduct thorough investigations to apprehend perpetrators. “This is appalling and unbelievable, that we are actually on day 12 of the Lockdown, one ponders on how will the picture look like after this period. The members of the community must continue to report to the Police. Indeed we cannot allow this barbarism to continue rob our children their future”. said MEC Lesufi.