Local primary school struggles with vandalism

A Kopanong school will soon run out of funds after it was forced to use its budget to hire mobile toilets because of vandalism.

Kutumela Molefi Primary school in Kopanong (Donkerhoek) east of Pretoria was broken into and school toilets vandalised recently.

Nomzamo Zulu, chairperson of the school governing body (SGB), said the school had to divert its maintenance budget to hire toilets.

“Each toilet costs the school R800 a day and the school needs about four for the learners and teachers.

“We have patrollers working during school hours from 07:00 to 17:00 and we have suggested that the Department of Education alter their shifts so they are here at night when all the vandalism happens.

“The community is aware of the situation at the school and we have pleaded with them to look after the school, but that is not enough,” said Zulu.

There are more than 2 300 learners at the school, he added.

He said teachers had already warned of a possible urinary tract infection outbreak at the school.

Another member of SGB, Pitsi Mosehla said: “We have lost count of the number of burglary and vandalism cases we have reported to the Silverton police station.”

He said burglars stole four Telkom poles inside the school premises recently and the police were informed but are failing to arrest the situation.

“We told the police to come because we have information about the stolen poles and they are used in illegal electricity connections at the nearby squatter camp but the police failed us,” said Mosehla.

He said none of the cases they reported has been resolved by the police.

“The investigating officer on the case is failing us,” said Mosehla.

In 2019, the community and parents blamed people squatting next to the school for the burglaries and pleaded with the government to remove them.

Then Gauteng education MEC now premier Panyaza Lesufi and police minister Bheki Cele visited the school.

Cele promised the community justice and warned criminals to watch out for the police because they were coming for them.

He told residents that the police could only win the war on crime with their help.

Mosehla said nothing had been done to fight crime since they asked for armed night patrollers.

He said the school community was expecting the worst during the festive season when the school is closed and there is nobody to look after it.

Police spokesperson, Warrant-Officer Isaac Mncunu said the police are busy with investigations.

“We encouraged the public to come forward with any information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators,” said Mncunu.

The Department of Education had yet to respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.

ALSO READ: Sosh charity continues to do good despite lack of sponsorship

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram