The School from Hell
Sinovuyo Secondary School in Braelyn, East London, has been targeted by brazen thieves who vandalise the premises every day after pupils and staff have gone home. Equipment, infrastructure and facilities have been stolen, smashed and trashed. There is no water or electricity at the school.
Sinovuyo Secondary School in Braelyn, East London, is falling prey to brazen criminals every day.
Thieves and vandals have targeted the school on each of the past nine days.
The Dispatch on Thursday found a pipe had burst after a trench was dug along the perimeter fence. One panel in the fence has been cut out as an entry and exit point.
An electricity box near the school gate is badly vandalised.
All the wires have been removed and the casing set on fire.
The burglar security gate at the entrance to the school has been ground off, and locks for other security doors in the school have been removed. The Dispatch even saw burnt school textbooks on the property.
The pupils’ 14 toilets have been vandalised, with cisterns removed and toilet bowls smashed. Sinks and taps are missing in the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms.
The two electricity poles on the premises have been sawed down to get to the globes. One pole has fallen over.
School governing body member Lusizo Mathafeni said: “This is terrible. There used to be Saturday extra classes and matric camps but this can no longer happen as it’s too risky for teachers and pupils to be there at the school. The teachers are scared.”
He said that before the school could be renovated, its security issues needed to be addressed as it was in a bushy and isolated area.
“It seems that whoever it is doing this is intentionally destroying the school,” he said.
“It is one of the top three schools on the Duncan Village side that have good matric results. It means the children will have nowhere to learn and they will have to go far to find another school.
“We wish the education department could put professional security guards in place.”
The matrics still have to sit for two more exams and their school hall is a mess. Holes in the roof are so big that sunlight pours into the hall.
Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the department was aware of the situation.
“Security is a serious concern for us at Sinovuyo and we are busy pursuing ways to he said.
“It seems that some of the vandalism is caused by pupils from the school at night. The school has a strong fence, but it gets cut at night.
“The challenge with Sinovuyo is that its location is extremely isolated. Despite that, we urge the community not to harbour criminals and rather report crimes as this has a direct impact on the future of our children.”
He said vandalism was a societal challenge and would be addressed only “if and when the whole community becomes involved in protecting the assets”. assist,”
It’s too risky for teachers and pupils to be there at the school