SAPS on the hunt for robbers of Grade 12s at Malekutu school camp
Three suspects opened fire, robbing the learners of their belongings and fleeing the scene.
The Mpumalanga SAPS are looking for the suspects who robbed Grade 12 learners at the Ngazindlovu Secondary School camp in Malekutu on Thursday November 2.
A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said the armed suspects had entered the school camp at about 23:45.
“According to the statement, a security officer from the school noticed three unknown men walking outside. He approached them to find out what they were doing. They started assaulting him, and that is when he realised they were not learners. They got out their firearms and started firing. They did not shoot at the security officer, and it appears as if they only wanted to scare him. They went to the girls’ side. The learners tried to run away, but couldn’t. The robbers opened fire and robbed them of their belongings, including tablets. When they were done, they went to the boys’ side and robbed them as well, before fleeing the scene,” he explained.
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“A business robbery case has been opened following this incident and the police are investigating.”
The Mpumalanga Department of Education expressed its concern about this incident.
The provincial education spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, said, “The department deployed officials to gather more information into the circumstances that led to this, and to report back on the course of action that must be taken. The officials were able to render psychosocial support to the learners and parents, which enabled the learners to continue with their exams. The learners were in agreement that they would not allow thugs to rob them of their future, thus they were more than determined to soldier on and fulfil their desired goals, which is to pass the examination with flying colours.”
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Sambo said the department is equally grateful that the community and various structures pledged to do everything possible to work with the police to ensure the safety of the learners at the school and in the surrounding areas. “The police are hopeful they will get to the bottom of this matter.”
