STEENBOK – Bhambatha Primary School in Nkomazi Local Municipality has had to get used to burglaries and swallow the hot coal almost on a regular basis.
The school was recently broken into and food seemed to be the main target of the burglars.”They broke in last week and took food plus soccer boots and some cooking equipment. Although they did not take all the food, it is a sure case that the learners will not be eating meals for the rest of the month,” said the principal, Mr Rogers Mabuza.
According to him, this is not the first nor second, or even third robbery they have had to endure as the school. “This is the seventh in two years.
“They took all 42 computers, affecting our pupils negatively. We have become a playground to them,” he added.
Mabuza says his numerous attempts to reach out to the Department of Education have been in vain. “I have written several letters requesting the department’s intervention, but to date nothing has been done.
But I will not give up, I will keep trying until they heed my call for strong security for the school. Our learners’ safety comes first and it is my duty to ensure that.”
The security guard is said to be in ICU after having been beaten up by the robbers.
The Department of Education’s spokesperson, Mr Jasper Zwane, says they are yet to look into the matter. “I need to be given enough time to investigate this case – it is the first of its nature that we have received.
NWe are looking into it,” he said. Although there have never been daylight robberies at the school, the safety of the learners is still questionable and their fate in this regard is as yet unknown.
