Eight schools broken into and robbed in 2 weeks
Laerskool Pietersburg-Noord was the most recent target in a spate of robberies at schools in and around the city
POLOKWANE – The school’s office that had been ransacked and two safes that had been cut open and looted.
The suspects made off with about R18 000 in cash during the robbery.
The principal, Attie Visagie said the school was aware of the recent spate of robberies at schools in the city and they had taken precautionary security measures such as installing more locks at the school, this, however, did not deter the robbers.
Visagie stated that aside from his phone and the money from the safes, nothing else was stolen, but that it was apparent that the robbers took their time to ransack the office.
“The theft is not the worst part about this incident. My biggest concern is that the robbers took their time in trashing the place and making a mess. The effect has us feeling vulnerable and helpless because of the gross invasion and disregard of privacy. It is truly the worst feeling in the world for me,” said Visagie.
He added that the security guards on duty at the school did make their rounds, but it is believed that by the time they passed by the office again, the robbers were already inside the building.
He made a plea to community policing forums (CPF) in the city to patrol the areas around schools in their neighbourhoods.
Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, confirmed that there were several cases of robbery and breaking and entering being investigated at several schools in the city. He added that it was highly probable that the cases may be related as there were several similarities between the cases.
There have been no arrests made in the cases and investigations are still ongoing. “We urge anyone with information regarding these robberies to contact their nearest police station,” Phala said.
