LIMPOPO – The Malamulele police have launched a manhunt for suspects following two separate incidents of robbery and burglary at schools in the area over the weekend.

In the first incident, which occurred at Mahonisi Primary School in the early hours of Saturday morning (October 25), a security guard on duty was attacked by four armed suspects wearing balaclavas.

According to police reports, one suspect fired a shot before overpowering the guard and tying him up.

The Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the attackers then broke into the administration block, forced open a safe, and made off with laptops, airtime vouchers and an undisclosed amount of cash.

“The guard was later found locked inside the safe by the school principal the following morning,” his statement read.

In a separate incident at Humula High School in Mukhomi village, suspects broke into the administration block between Friday night and Saturday morning.

“Several offices were ransacked, and a safe was found cut open, with laptops stolen. Cases of business robbery and business burglary and been opened and Sergeant Shadrack Mabunda from the Malamulele SAPS has been assigned to lead the investigations,” Ledwaba said.

Department condemns attacks on schools

Meanwhile, the Limpopo Department of Education has strongly condemned the break-ins and acts of vandalism, describing them as attacks on learning institutions that serve as the foundation for community development.

“These repeated break-ins are crimes against the future of our children. We call on communities to unite in protecting schools, as they are the heart of development,” said Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya.

The department said it is deeply disturbed by the thefts and damage to property, stressing that such acts disrupt teaching and learning.

Lerule-Ramakhanya also commended law enforcement for their swift response and ongoing investigation, and confirmed that the department will ensure affected schools receive the necessary support to recover and resume normal operations.

Anyone with information that can assist in the arrest of the suspects is urged to contact Mabunda on 063 447 7375, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or share details anonymously via the My SAPS App.