Burglars steal food meant for feeding scheme at school in eMbalenhle
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security of food supplies meant to support vulnerable learners who rely on the school nutrition programme for daily meals.
Management at Thorisong Primary School in eMbalenhle were left shocked after burglars broke into the school and stole food meant for the learner feeding scheme.
According to the school, the premises are secured with a fence and surveillance cameras. However, criminals gained access by breaching the fence before breaking a window at the deputy principal’s office.
They then damaged the ceiling to enter the school’s food storage area.
The suspects reportedly used the damaged roof ceiling to move the stolen food into the deputy principal’s office and removed it through the broken window.
One of the teachers, Charles Siwela, described the incident as devastating, saying the theft has left many children without meals.
Photo: Mphikelleli Masangu
“These criminals stole food meant for our children. The school is close to houses – why did no one hear anything when the burglary happened?” said Siwela.
Siwela added that while the school’s surveillance cameras captured some footage, the images are dark and only show the time of the incident and unclear movements of individuals, making identification difficult.
He further claimed that items stolen from schools are often resold within the same community.
“We hope that by working together with the police, we will find the suspects. We also ask the community to report to the police anyone selling food items, because our school is currently struggling to provide meals to learners,” he said.
Siwela appealed to residents of eMbalenhle to help safeguard local schools and ensure that those targeting educational institutions are brought to justice.
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The incident has raised serious concerns about the security of food supplies meant to support vulnerable learners who rely on the school nutrition programme for daily meals. The loss of these food items is expected to negatively impact the school’s ability to provide meals until the stock is replenished.
School management has condemned the incident, describing it as a direct attack on learners’ well-being. This is not the first burglary reported at a school in the area.
Vukuzithathe Primary School in Ext 14, eMbalenhle, recently raised concerns over ongoing burglaries and theft of school property.
In the latest incident, suspects reportedly entered the administrative offices through the roof on the night of February 7 and stole several items.
The police spokesperson in eMbalenhle, Sergeant Busi Mthethwa, confirmed that a case of business burglary has been opened. No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
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