Burglaries, vandalism and theft: Are syndicates targeting Gauteng schools?

South Africa’s persistent crime problem is affecting the country’s most vulnerable citizens – its school-going children. Numerous burglaries, vandalism and theft have cost Gauteng pupils critical resources needed for their learning.

Gauteng MEC for community safety, Faith Mazibuko, said police were investigating 1,231 cases of vandalism, burglaries and theft at the province’s schools. 

Has Saps failed pupils?

But the police haven’t managed to bring enough suspects to book. To date, only 37 people have been successfully convicted in 34 cases. Police arrested 300 suspects related to 147 of the cases, leaving almost 1,200 cases unsolved.

“This is a clear indication that the South Africa Police Service [Saps] is also failing to prioritise school safety with adequate police visibility,” said DA Gauteng shadow MEC for education Khume Ramulifho.

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The targeting of schools has cost the Gauteng education department some R2.2 million.

“This money could be used to eradicate asbestos schools and fix deteriorating infrastructure across the province to ensure a conducive learning and safe teaching environment,” said Ramulifho.

Gauteng schools depend on poorly trained and unarmed school safety patrollers to safeguard valuable school assets, said Ramulifho and there are calls for community members to play a more significant role in the ownership of schools.

“The department should also consider employing permanent security guards to safeguard schools, particularly in areas that have a high crime rate.”

In addition, Ramulifho said schools targeted by criminal syndicates could beef up their fences and walls and invest in higher-grade security measures like CCTV cameras and alarm systems in hotspot areas as a deterrent.

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