School fed up with crime
EDENPARK Primary School in Empangeni has suffered 16 breakins since December, and pupils and staff are now fed up.
‘We are sick and tired of walking into our classrooms in the morning to find we have no chairs or desks. ‘It also upsets the children when their stationery has been taken and they have no workspace, which seriously disrupts their school day,’ said Principal Elizabeth Fick.
The school borders a section of severely overgrown municipal land which is a crime hot spot. During the looting on 12 July, for example, a large number of stolen goods were recovered from the area.
‘We have reported the overgrown greenbelt to the municipality on several occasions, to no avail. The vegetation has grown thicker than ever and none of the activities there have stopped.
‘The burglars have become so brazen that, on our CCTV cameras, we saw them making tea and coffee on our premises. They obviously have no fear of being caught.’
All manner of security systems, from CCTV to beams and even floodlights, have been installed at the school, but nothing seems to deter the thieves.
‘Out of desperation I hired a garden service out of my own pocket to cut back the foliage, so at least the burglars will feel less comfortable as they will have no place to hide.'
Ward Councillor André de Lange admits the area has become a concern for residents.
'Intruders have been using the area as a meeting place, and to hide stolen goods. The issue has been reported to municipal officials,' he said.