Six Nellmapius school governing body (SGB) members arrested for burglary and theft at a school maintain they were framed.
They were arrested for allegedly stealing food from the Nellmapius Primary School feeding scheme as well as some books. The goods were stolen on Tuesday, 11 January.
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School SGB chairperson Caroline Mlambo said they were arrested at the school while guarding the premises a day after the burglary.
“When the burglary occurred, I was with my family. I was sleeping when I received a call about the burglary,” said Mlambo.
“A decision by the acting principal and other members of the SGB was made to guard the school the night after the break-in because the person hired to fix the broken doors did not finish on time. We volunteered to guard the school by spending the night on the premises,” said Mlambo.
“I fell asleep on a chair and was woken by nine police officers.”
She said she thought it was normal routine by the police to patrol the school after a burglary, but to her surprise, the officers accused the group of being the thieves.
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“I thought it was a joke, but the police were serious. They took me to my car and the car of the deputy chairperson. Our cars were full of food and stationery.”
She said she nearly fainted as she could not understand how the groceries got into her car. The police took her to her home to search for more food.
“I think we were framed by security guards at the school who do not like me because I suspected one of them who is always on duty when there is a burglary at the school,” said Mlambo.
“Burglaries happened on their watch and I called for their dismissal. I think I stepped on the wrong toes.”
Mlambo said she was a businesswoman who earned “a lot of money”.
“I became involved in the SGB because I wanted to look after the school as it belongs to the community.”
Silverton police spokesperson Captain Jan Sepato confirmed that the SGB members were arrested on charges of business burglary and theft.
“They briefly appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 12 January and were released on R1 000 bail each. They will appear again on 16 February.”
Two patrollers who were on duty for the night when the burglary occurred were questioned by police but later released.
Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said he was disappointed about the incident.
“We are concerned that people who are supposed to assist the school to safeguard property are the ones implicated in theft. I will request the HOD to investigate the SGB of this school,” Lesufi said.
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