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The food that was stolen was part of supplies provided to the school through the National School Nutrition Programme.
Picture: Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane commended the South African Police Service (Saps) on Monday for the arrest of suspects found with stolen food.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the suspects were caught with school nutrition food from Minerva Secondary School in Alexandra on Saturday, 12 April 2025.
The two were apprehended near the school.
“[The suspects] are expected to appear before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” it said.
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The department stated that the 60-year-old man and the 36-year-old woman were found next to the school with boxes of food supplies.
“The stolen food included bulk packs of tinned fish, fresh cream milk and other perishable goods,” it said.
Furthermore, the food that was stolen was part of supplies provided to the school through the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).
“This programme provides nutritious meals to learners in primary and secondary schools, aiming to improve learning by addressing malnutrition and hunger,” the department added.
In addition, Chiloane said, “We are concerned by this senseless crime which takes away from the good we are trying to achieve through the School Nutrition Programme and ensuring learners are fed at schools.”
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The provincial department noted that it recently appointed new service providers under the NSNP for the next three years from April 2025, which had delays in the delivery of food supplies to various schools.
“However, this was rectified by Friday, 11 April 2025, and we can confirm that all schools received their stock,” the department said.
It further apologised for the inconvenience that might have been caused to the affected schools.
In conclusion, Chiloane urged members of the public to report any crime happening at schools to the police and refrain from purchasing any goods stolen from the suspects.
“We vehemently condemn such criminal acts and call upon communities to safeguard the food supplies which are meant to nourish their children,” said Chiloane.
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