Schools fall prey to vandalism

Kwa-Thema- Schools often fall prey to vandals during school holidays, but some have it much worse than others.
Kwa-Thema Skills School was burgled and vandalised no less than five times in 2023.

In the latest incident, the robbers made off with three gas stoves, five industrial pots, a brush cutter, a security camera, and electrical wires.

The school administrative principal Mzanywa Shongwe said it is disheartening that the thugs are part of the community.

“The community needs to realise that the school is ours, and by stealing these resources we are killing the future of the country. We all need to keep an eye out and help to protect the school’s infrastructure,” he added.

Shongwe estimates that the total damage is about half a million rand. Recently, a smart TV that was stolen from one of the classes was recovered by the SAPS and returned to the school.

The school’s concrete palisade fence is also been destroyed, one slab at a time. Theo Twala Primary School was also not spared.

The school’s principal, Phumla Sehume, said the classes were stripped of all-electric wires. Steel burglar-proof bars and taps were also stolen.

“The alarm system was also tempered with,” she added.

Sehume estimates the total damage to be about R50 000. The two schools are less than 2km from each other in Ward 74.

Clr Thulane Simelane said the community could do more to help protect all the schools.

“This behaviour is unacceptable. These vandals come back and sell the stolen goods to people in the community. Our children will have no resources if we allow this to go on,” he added.

Simelane is pleading with the community to report any suspicious activities around schools.

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