As teaching has gone digital, criminals are now targeting school pupils to rob off them their most important learning tool – tablets.
On Monday, 17 February a Grade 9 pupil at Allen Glen High School was the latest victim. “I was walking with my three friends from school when a car drove past us and suddenly stopped and one guy guy stepped out asking for directions,” explained Nikita Goldhawk.
As the people looked a bit suspicious, Goldhawk said she and her friends told the people that they do not know the area too well, so they cannot be of help. Persistent in the quest to get directions from these pupils, the alleged criminals insisted that the pupils should stop and talk to them. “As we felt that the situation was getting uncomfortable, me and my friends tried to run but one of the guys was already out and grabbed me,” carried Goldhawk.
The criminal then said ‘Sorry guys, all we want is your tablets.’
He managed to take Goldhawk’s tablet and cellphone. While trying to free herself, she fell and said the criminal was trying to drag her to the vehicle they were travelling in. “It looks like they also wanted to kidnap me,” added Goldhawk who sounded traumatised. She managed to escape and fled from the scene that was just a few metres from the school.
As Allen Glen High School has adopted e-learning and all pupils have to own tablets, The Northsider understands that a number of their pupils have been robbed of their tablets, mostly when walking back from school. It also looks like, it’s the same group of criminals who terrorise Allen Glen pupils.
“One of the pupils who was also robbed recently said she saw the same guys driving past the school again a few days after my incident,” said Goldhawk.
Honeydew Police Spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs confirmed that their detectives were investigating this case. She also advised pupils to be extra vigilant when walking from school. “To minimise the risk of being robbed, we advise school children to not listen to music on their cellphones or tablets when walking on the streets. We also advise them to keep the tablets and cellphones in their bags and hopefully they will be safe,” said WO Jacobs.
Chairperson of the School Governing Body Warren Mckrill said the situation was very unfortunate and maintained that they will do their best to keep pupils safe at all times when they are on school premises.
As a parent Paul Goldhawk said he was indeed concerned about the safety of his child. “Not sure what can be done, we cannot ask for increased police visibility around the school because our police are under resourced as it is. The school’s safety responsibility cannot be expected outside its premises,” explained Paul.
As for Nikita, learning has been a bit challenging for her since the incidents. As she wait for her parents to purchase a new tablet for her. “After each lesson, I ask the teacher to print out copies of the lesson for that day,” concluded Nikita.
Allen Glen High School principal Johan Wiehahn could not be reached for comment.
