Police investigating possible syndicate targeting schools
“We are calling on to the community to protect the schools and share information of these perpetrators so that we can make arrests and secure convictions.”
Police in the north of Pretoria are probing a spate of burglaries at 12 schools in a space of four months.
Rietgat police have since been on the lookout for stolen goods such as stationery, electric wires, maintenance equipment and water pipes, which were possibly sold to second-hand dealers.
Captain Stephen Maluleka said police believed a syndicate might be behind the burglaries at schools in and around the Rietgat policing precinct.
The crimes first occurred in March at Raikana Primary School in Block P, and Pulamadibogo Primary School in Block X.
“Break-ins at schools have become a norm within the community and residents do not want to give information to the police.”
Maluleka said the police had put measures in place and were intensifying patrols to deter criminals from looting.
“We are also working closely with the CPF and patrollers.”
He said in May more schools such as Vukani Primary School in Block DD were targeted where a gas bottle, wall clocks, speakers and toilet paper were stolen.
“Echibini Secondary School was also targeted and dozens of cans of tinned fish were stolen in Block GG.
“Lesedi la Dichaba Christian School, also in Block GG, lost a vacuum cleaner while Muzimuhle Primary School in the same block lost stationery and electric wires.”
Other items reported as stolen in May were a toolbox, grinder, drill, cables, control unit and TV set, water pipes and school shoes.
“The burglaries continued into June. Primary schools Baxoxele in Block GG, Vukosi in Block V and Lesedi Potlana in Block W suffered the loss of electric cables, heaters, soccer balls, stationery, vacuum cleaners, laminating machines and coding blocks.”
Maluleka said although these burglaries were in various parts of the precinct, “this is a cause for concern and every member of the public”.
“We cannot rule out the works of a syndicate. We are calling on the community to protect the schools and share information of these perpetrators so that we can make arrests and secure convictions.”
He called on the entire community to reclaim the schools and protect their infrastructure, especially from being sold off.
“Stop buying stolen goods but instead report those who are seen to be profiting from selling them,” he warned.
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