Robbers hit high school

Teacher attacked at Sea Point High, 50 cellphones taken

POLICE are investigating an armed robbery after two suspects jumped over the fence of Sea Point High School, assaulted a teacher with a gun and made off with 50 cellphones.

Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said no one has been arrested yet. “An armed robbery is being investigated. Two armed men entered a classroom, threatened a teacher and pupils and fled with cellular telephones.”

The incident comes nearly a year after teachers and pupils at Lwandle Primary School in Khayelitsha were robbed at gunpoint on the premises.

At the time, the principal said three men had kicked open his office door and ordered him to keep quiet while they held a gun to his head.

Education MEC Debbie Schäfer said yesterday that the Sea Point teacher was recovering after a head injury.

“It is reported that the suspects gained access to the school over the fence. The school has a security guard and CCTV cameras and we hope that the SAPS will use the camera footage to identify the suspects and ensure they face the full might of the law.

“I have also requested that this case be added to the Watching Brief Lists and my office has already made contact with the Sea Point SAPS.

“Criminals have become so brazen that they enter school premises on a busy road, in broad daylight, and that not even a strong security presence, CCTV footage or fencing serve as a deterrent,” Schäfer said.

SA Democratic Teachers Union provincial chairperson Jonovan Rustin said: “The department must ensure all the vulnerable are protected.”

Schäfer said: “Our schools are meant to be places of safety where learners and educators feel secure and where they can realise their potential… I condemn this act.”

The Safe Schools Call Centre can be reached on 0800 45 46 47. Anyone with information can contact police anonymously at Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.

Criminals have become so brazen they enter a school on a busy road Debbie Schafer MEC for Education