Thieves have stolen computers and food at an Atteridgeville, the department confirmed on Friday.
Gauteng department of education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the thieves had tied up a security guard at Masizane Primary School on Friday morning before stealing the computers and food.
“It is alleged that, in the early hours of today, 23 March, criminals forcefully gained entry at the west of Pretoria school, tied up the security guard, broke into the admin block and stole about seven computers, two tablets, and all nutrition [national school nutrition programme – NSNP] stock,” said Mabona.
In an unrelated incident, Thohoyandou Primary School, also in the west of Pretoria, suffered the same fate.
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“In the very same morning, Thohoyandou Primary School was also hit by the robbers and they also looted four computers and all NSNP stock,” Mabona said.
He said there was a possibility of a syndicate operating in the area as another school in the area was robbed on Tuesday.
“Flavius Mareka Secondary School was broken into and the criminals made off with the entire NSNP stock.”
Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi condemned the robberies and said he was concern their rising number.
“The department is concerned about a spate of robberies experienced in schools especially in Atteridgeville, Tshwane where criminals stole computers and National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) stock.
We strongly condemn these criminal acts which seek to undermine our effort to provide food to our children at school, it is paramount noting that, most of the learners at the said schools are from disadvantaged communities and as such we must provide food to them every day.”
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He urged residents to come forward with information which could assist the the police investigations.
“Our schools cannot afford to be a haven for criminals, this cannot be tolerated,” Lesufi said.
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