Pupils go hungry as food schemes raided
Kitchens of 8 schools targeted in one area – yet not one arrest
Thousands of pupils in Ndevana just outside East London have been left without food for days after their schools were broken into.
The last burglary was on Tuesday at Mpumelelo Higher Primary, where thieves stole all the groceries for the school’s entire feeding scheme, a gas stove, laptops, pots, a fridge and utensils.
School governing body chair Michael Mfihlo said this month alone, eight schools – Ndevana Higher Primary, Nokundla Lower Primary, Siviwe, Masijongane, Enoch Sontonga, Mvundiso, Mpumelelo and Simzamile – were all burgled, and food meant for feeding schemes stolen.
He said they had all opened cases with the police.
“Some cases date back as far as 2016. No arrests have been made and the principals and teachers are now fearing for their lives as well,” Mfihlo said.
Mfihlo said some of the groceries and a gas cylinder for the fridge and stoves, stolen in the latest break-in, were discovered in a shack close to the school.
“The owner of that shack is known to the community, and police were given this information.
“Up to today no one has been questioned or arrested.”
Another SGB member, who did not want to be named fearing victimisation, claimed those responsible were well known in the area.
“These boys get arrested and released back into the same community,” he said.
A caretaker at one of the schools blamed unemployed youths from nearby shacks for the theft.
“These boys are always around the school. loitering
“Learners are even afraid to use the school toilets, in case they are robbed,” the caretaker said.
Provincial education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima called on communities to play a meaningful role in securing schools.
“If the community in which the schools are located play an active role in what is happening in their communities, these criminals can be arrested within days of committing the act,” Mtima said. His department has signed a service level agreement with provincial police to adopt schools in their areas with the hope of securing them, he added. The department has also appointed general assistants who act as security personnel, he said.
Police spokeswoman Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said: “Cases were opened and are being investigated. The schools are being patrolled by police. No arrest has been made yet. The SAPS urged the community to supply them with information that could assist.”
Ndevana police claimed they had not solved the cases because of a shortage of vehicles – something Mawisa dismissed as untrue.
“That statement on vehicles is not true and needs to be investigated. We encourage the schools to have a relationship with the station and the teachers must have access to the station commander,” she said.
These boys are always loitering around the school. Learners are even afraid to use the school toilets in case they are robbed