LIMPOPO – Learners at Ngwako Mathekga Educare Centre in Morapalala village in Bolobedu outside Tzaneen were kept out of school last week following a robbery and housebreaking incident at the school recently.
Criminals broke into the school and stole groceries for the children’s nutrition programme and an undisclosed amount of cash.
According to the school manager, Margaret Mabulana, the suspects tried to destroy security gates at the back entrance of the building, but failed, and later used a spade, which they found in the kitchen, to destroy burglar proofing after breaking one of the windowpanes.
They used the same spade to destroy the door of the office inside the building where they took the groceries and cash.
Mabulana said the suspects took advantage of the loud music from a nearby tavern where there was a gig, because no one heard anything while they committed the crime. “We don’t know what to do because the suspects took the cash that parents paid for the graduation of their children,” she added.
Mabulana explained that the parents decided during a parents’ meeting held recently at the school that their children should stay home until the safety of the school is guaranteed.
Bolobedu police spokesperson, Const Rebotile Shai, said the police are searching for the suspects and called on people in the village to assist with information that can lead to the arrest and convictions of the suspects. Anyone with information can contact the nearest police station.
