Nine arrested in Pretoria for school vandalism, torching
A total number of 55 schools have been either burgled or torched in the province since the beginning of the lockdown.
Gauteng police arrested nine people suspected of breaking into and torching schools in Pretoria.
A total number of 55 schools have been either burgled or torched in the province since the beginning of the lockdown.
Captain Mavela Masondo said most of the suspects have already appeared in court facing arson and business burglary charges amongst others.
“When the number of attacks on schools started to increase in the province last month, Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela appointed a team of experienced and senior police officers to investigate. The team has been working tirelessly. Thus far, 41 have been arrested and more arrests are imminent as the investigation is continuing.”
Mawela said he was pleased with the progress made by the team so far and he believed more suspects would be arrested soon.
“We are appealing to the community to work with the police in exposing those with intentions of depriving our children of a better education,” said Mawela.
READ MORE: Burglaries in Gauteng schools increase to 55
Basic education minister Angie Motshekga said she was horrified at the alarming number of schools that have been vandalised and damaged.
Motshekga said 183 schools have been vandalised; 55 in Gauteng, 72 in Mpumalanga, seven in North West and two in KZN.
“It is disheartening that criminal elements in our communities could destroy the infrastructure of their own children. I am in touch with the police minister and with the assistance of the state intelligence forces, we are following leads to arrest every single criminal responsible.”
Motsekga said communities were supposed to be caretakers of the infrastructure that government had put in place for the education of children.
“It is extremely disappointing for criminals, who are part of the community, to randomly destroy the same infrastructure meant to provide decent spaces of learning and teaching meant for our children.”
She urged community members to assist the police to identify the culprits, and not to buy items stolen from schools.
“These criminals must be reported to the police immediately. Let us work together to safeguard the future of our children by exposing these criminal elements. The learners from these schools will be the hardest hit as there could be delays in the implementation of the curriculum recovery plan when school finally reopen. Members of the community are urged to be on the look-out for people vandalising schools or any public property.”
READ MORE: Two north schools suffer fire damage worth a million
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