130 arrested in Gauteng for school burglaries

A total of 130 people have been arrested in Gauteng for school burglaries that happened during lockdown.

Police spokesperson, Captain Mavela Masondo said in Tshwane alone 41 people have been arrested.

“Gauteng police have now arrested 130 suspects for cases related to burglary, vandalism and torching of schools since March this year.”

Masondo said several items taken from the schools during the burglaries were recovered.

Over the weekend one suspect was arrested at Lotus Gardens Secondary School in the west of Pretoria after his four accomplices fled the scene.

“A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect gained entry through the roof. Tiles were removed and the ceiling was damaged,” Masondo said.

Cases of business breaking have been opened for investigation.

He said in KwaThema, a suspect was apprehended with the help of the community on Thursday morning.

The suspect was caught inside the Nkumbulo High School premises.

“The suspect was found in possession of stolen items that include appliances, kitchen utensils, cleaning materials, taps, electrical cords, a blanket and some groceries.”

The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, appointed a team consisting of different police units to look into the matter, this comes after school break-ins increased.

Mawela has called for the community to report any suspected criminal activities inside schools.

“The collaboration between the police and the community has yielded positive results as most of the suspects were arrested following a tip-off from community members,” Masondo said.

The latest breakdown of the arrests per district are as follows:

Johannesburg (Including Soweto) = 42

Tshwane = 41

Sedibeng = 11

Ekurhuleni = 25

West Rand = 11  

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