Residents fear for safety as criminal activity escalates around abandoned classrooms

Residents living behind the grounds of Morester Primary School fear for their lives as criminal activities increase on their doorsteps.

This anxiety comes after temporary classrooms were unused for months and became abandoned. In 2022, 14 temporary classrooms were built to accommodate learners while new classrooms were under construction.

The renovations were completed last June, leaving the classrooms empty for over eight months to date. Criminals have stolen the electric wiring, light bulbs and even the classroom doors.

Residents living across from the school for more than two decades say crime has increased since this abandonment. According to them, they are afraid to wait in front of their gates while they open because they cannot see what or who might be hiding in the grass waiting for them.

Some residents have installed cameras in and around their houses to feel safer.

“We hear them every night when they break in and steal things from the classrooms. We even heard gunshots in December. We have sleepless nights about the criminal activities happening on our doorstep,” said a 73-year-old female resident.

The residents say they have contacted the CoE, the Department of Education and the school, but no one has taken the matter seriously.

“When we spoke to the school, they only said they would notify the education department. We will never know if they did, but things cannot go on like this. No one is willing to help us. It feels like we are fighting a losing battle,” said a 41-year-old living across from the vandalised classrooms.

“Only two months ago, the Department of Education complained about a shortage of classrooms in Gauteng and many learners having nowhere to go, but what now? Here are probably more than 10 classrooms abandoned and left to vandals. Why not use them?”

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To help these frustrated residents, the Advertiser spoke to the school about this issue. Deputy principal Sibonisile Moeketsi said the school was aware of the state of its temporary classrooms and that they were vandalised.

“According to my knowledge, it is the Department of Education’s job to come and remove these classrooms. Although I was unaware of how long the grass is in this area. It is a health hazard to our learners, and I will ensure it is cut soon,” Moeketsi said.

She also suggested the classrooms not be removed from the school premises but moved closer to the other classrooms so the school could use them.

“There are no other schools here in Eastvale. We could definitely use them to accommodate more teachers and learners,” she said.

Comments requested from the education department were not received at the time of publication.

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