Sadtu: School robbery 'an attack on education'
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has described the robbery at the brand new Menzi Primary School on the East Rand as an attack on education.
The robbers made off with equipment worth thousands of rands, less a week after the school was opened in the Tsakane area in Ekurhuleni.
Over R3 million was spent to renovate and equip the school as part of the move by the education department to a paperless classroom system.
The union's general secretary, Mugwena Maluleke, has called on the police to move with speed.
"We view this as an attack on education and an attack on society, because when criminals target a school which is supposed to be viewed by a community as an institution that is taking us into the future.
"We view this as really an issue that we must come together, stand as one and make sure we assist the law enforcement agencies to investigate and make sure no stone is left unturned, that's the only way we can defeat crime," says Maluleke.
The teachers' union will visit the school on Friday.
"Schools and education have the power to change the trajectory of any society for the better. If schools are looted by criminals and are pawns, when communities want to vent their anger towards the state.
"The future of learners are plunged further into the abyss of despair. Therefore, criminals cannot be allowed to destroy the culture of learning and teaching."