Cosas pleads with businesses to help repair fence at Mamelodi school
The future of learners at Gatang Secondary School is at stake.
The congress of South African students (Cosas) in Mamelodi has raised concerns about the future of learners at Gatang Secondary School.
This comes after Cosas saw that a number of learners “come and go freely” at school because the school perimeter fence had many holes in it.
A concerned member of Cosas Mamelodi branch Jabulani Mahlangu said the number of learners roaming around the streets of Mamelodi during school hours was alarming.
He said the problem was not caused by the educators but criminals who were vandalising schools around Mamelodi and stealing from the schools.
He said there were now more than five holes around the fence, leading to learners bunking classes any time of the day.
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Mahlangu said according to the information received from the school, the perimeter fence was vandalised by criminals last year around December.
He was concerned about the safety of children at the school because criminals could gain access to the school at any time of the day.
“It is so sad to see learners bunk classes using the holes in the fence,” said Mahlangu.
He pleaded with businesses across Mamelodi to help with donations to repair the fence and the brick wall that was also vandalised during the festive season.
One of the learners, who wished not to be named, said the reason he was using the hole in the fence was because the gate “is very far to use to go out and buy lunch at break”.
He said learners would not stop using the holes until the fence was fixed.
Another learner said the school should open another gate where the hole was.
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Late last year a 20-year-old man was arrested by the police in connection with a business burglary at Gatang Secondary School in Mamelodi East.
Police spokesperson Captain Michael Mbewe said the 20-year-old suspect was arrested at a house in Mamelodi East Gardens after the police followed the tracker installed in the smart boards that were stolen from the school.
The police recovered two stolen smart boards in a house.
Mbewe said the police were busy with investigations and more suspects could be arrested.
The police also pleaded with the communities around the school premises to always be vigilant and work with the police to protect the schools.
The principal of the school said the matter was reported to the education department and was being dealt with.
The public was also advised to report any suspicious looking people or any crime to the police by dialling 08600-10111.
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