Classes were suspended at Cosmo City Secondary School after a guard was found shot dead on Friday 20 March. Five gun shots claimed the life of a security guard who was on night duty at the school.
According to Honeydew Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs, their officers responded to a call just after 4am that Friday.
Upon their arrival, they found the lifeless body of the deceased lying in the guard house at the school.
WO Jacobs stated that the body was discovered by the female security guard who was on duty with the deceased. “The female guard said they heard gun shots just after 2am and she suggested that they go to her house for their safety as the shots sounded to be close, but the deceased refused and said he will be okay right there,” explained WO Jacobs. The guard then went to her house and tried to phone for help but for some reason calls could not go out. The female guard then went back to the school just around 4am and that is when she made the gruesome discovery and immediately called Honeydew Police and emergency services. The school’s storeroom, computer room, and three other offices were broken into. “The suspects broke the doors and some windows to gain entry into those rooms,” explained WO Jacobs. The only thing that was identified to be stolen was a computer box. “Our detectives are investigating a case of murder and business burglary,” highlighted WO Jacobs.
One of the parents, who was at the school, said she believed that the criminals wanted to steal tablets that the Gauteng Department of Education had delivered at the school on Thursday 19 March.
She questioned whether the Department of Education had thoroughly considered the security aspects of having paperless classrooms. “I understand that the department says they have installed some security features in the tablets so if they are stolen the department will be able to trace and get the tablets – but have they thought of the other risks, just like this one that occurred,” asked the parent.
She also stated that she was worried for the safety of their children on the streets once they are given the tablets. “Who is going to protect our children from these criminals when they walk to and from school and not on school premises?”
Another concerned resident, who lives close to the school, Mike Mgomezulu lambasted the Honeydew Police for their poor response time in their community. “The police are just happy to deal with dead bodies in Cosmo City. If you call them at night for a crime incident, they will only come the following day in the morning,” explained Mgomezulu.
He said it was high time that they had their own fully fledged police station. “We cannot do with a satellite station, it’s not working for us and Honeydew Police seem to be not prioritising our area.”
WO Jacobs said their station gave all areas that fall under their precinct the same priority and urged those with complaints to come forward. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects involved in this crime is requested to contact the investigating officer, Detective Constable Lawrence Muthelo on 076 649 5169.
The Gauteng Department of Education is still to comment on the matter.
