183 schools vandalised during lockdown - Motshekga
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has warned that the vandalism, burglary and destruction of schools will have a severe impact on the future of the country’s children.
A total of 183 schools have been vandalised across the country since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.
Gauteng has reported damage to 55 schools, Mpumalanga 72, while 7 schools have been impacted in North West and 2 in KwaZulu-Natal.
In some cases equipment was stolen and in others entire schools were burnt down.
Motshekga says communities are supposed to take care of the infrastructure provided by government.
"It is quite disheartening that criminal elements in our communities could destroy the infrastructure of their children with such apparent impunity.”
She warns that pupils will be the hardest hit as there could be delays in the implementation of the curriculum recovery plan when school finally reopen.
In Gauteng alone at least 41 people have been arrested in connection with the criminal activities at schools.