Grade 4 teacher, Jacques Rossouw told the Herald that after classes ended for the day he left his bag with his laptop and charger in his office that he shares with two other teachers. He then continued to attend a meeting. He said the meeting lasted about 30 minutes but when he returned, his bag was not there.
“We went to the security offices to check the CCTV footage. It showed that after everyone had left, a man entered the school premises.” In the footage, a man with a face mask, wearing a cap is seen walking through the school corridors and presumably checking for unlocked classes and offices. “Some of the classes were not locked because cleaning staff still had to clean some of the classrooms,” Rossouw explained.
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The video shows the man entering the classroom, picking up a laptop, and placing it on the desk. He then goes into another classroom and returns with another laptop. The alleged thief then leaves the premises. Rossouw said that he reported it to the police who were supposed to take fingerprints but they never arrived. He says that police forensic officers visited the school the following day (Thursday), but were unable to lift fingerprints as the office where he left his bag is shared by three people and it was not possible to single out the prints belonging to the suspect.
Police in Tzaneen says that besides the Tzaneen Primary School incident, other businesses have also been targeted. According to Sgt Maurice Nkhwashu of Tzaneen Police Station, Modiba Attorneys also lost property due to a break-in.
Other businesses in the CBD also reported to the Herald that they had their laptops stolen by a man entering the premises. “We are currently investigating all incidents, and anyone with information can contact me on 082 729 1058,” said Nkhwashu.
