55 Gauteng schools robbed, vandalised since start of lockdown
The Department of Education in Gauteng says a total of 55 schools have been robbed or vandalised since the start of the national lockdown last month.
Valuable equipment and groceries were stolen during the burglaries.
Spokesperson Steve Mabona says the department is concerned that the number keeps rising.
“MEC Panyaza Lesufi is really perturbed about the sky rocketing number of burglaries experienced at schools in Gauteng since the beginning of lockdown.
“These numbers are rapidly increasing because the last time we reported we said we had about 40 cases but now we have additional 15 schools that have been robbed or that have had break-ins or even vandalised.”
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The affected schools include Princess Primary in Roodeport, Thomas Nhlapho Primary in Meyerton and Harmony Primary in Lenasia.
Mabona says crime has a negative effect on the schooling system.
“It seems that these criminals are not bothered and they don’t have a sense on the damage they are causing to the future of our children and our country, because without education we are doomed, the future is bleak.”