Themba residents worried over school burglaries

A number of burglaries at Thembalethu schools in recent months have parents and educators worried.

On Monday 20 January there was a break-in at Tabata Primary in Zone 9 where burglars forced open doors and stole a computer, chairs, a Wi-Fi router, a microwave, a fridge, three dustbins and food.

Tyholorha Primary in Nelson Mandela Boulevard in Zone 6 was burgled three times over the festive season, with kitchen equipment and other learning materials stolen.

All the burglaries were reported to the police and investigations are ongoing. The Western Cape Department of Education has confirmed the incidents. In a statement it said the principal of Tyholorha Primary has indicated that the school regularly has the expense of having its fences repaired. Perpetrators gain access to the school grounds from the neighbouring homes by cutting the fences. The school is fitted with an alarm system.

"A Safe Schools District official visited the school and the school was provided with emergency security," reads the statement. "Safe Schools supports schools with alarm systems and further assessment will be done regarding the extension of emergency security."

Earlier this month Western Cape Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer said in a statement that 30 incidents were reported to Safe Schools for the 2019/20 December holiday period.

This is an increase from the same period in 2018/19 when 27 incidents of burglary and vandalism were recorded in the province.

She appealed to all communities to help the department protect the schools. "Our budget is stretched beyond its limit as it is, and deliberately damaging schools is a direct theft of resources from learners."