183 South African Schools Vandalised During COVID-19 Lockdown
South Africa’s Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, has condemned the incidents of vandalism, burglary and destruction of schools across several provinces since the COVID-19 lockdown started. This follows break-ins at three schools in KwaZulu-Natal in 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday, where expensive learning equipment was stolen… the latest in a string of schools that […]
South Africa’s Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, has condemned the incidents of vandalism, burglary and destruction of schools across several provinces since the COVID-19 lockdown started.
This follows break-ins at three schools in KwaZulu-Natal in 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday, where expensive learning equipment was stolen… the latest in a string of schools that have been damaged in recent weeks. Last week the country was in shock as video emerged of one of the schools being torched.
The most recent burglary happened on Sunday evening at eThekwini Primary School in Durban, bringing the number of schools vandalised in South Africa to 183 since COVID-19 lockdown was put in place.
Gauteng has reported 55 vandalised schools, 72 in Mpumalanga, seven schools in North West and these schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
Motshekga said she is working with Police Minister Bheki Cele to get to the bottom of these incidents.
“It is quite disheartening that criminal elements in our communities could destroy the infrastructure of their own children with such apparent impunity. I am in constant touch with the Minister of Police, and with the assistance of the state intelligence forces, we are following leads to the immediate arrest and prosecution of every single criminal responsible,” Motshekga said.
A school in Bergville, KZN, went up in flames on Wednesday. Watch here:
Bambazi High School in Bergville, KZN, on fire earlier this evening. So many schools destroyed during this lockdown. It’s going to be tough….@DBE_KZN @DBE_SA pic.twitter.com/9iIq9et1cb
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) April 8, 2020
The Minister said communities are supposed to be caretakers of the infrastructure that government had put in place for the education of children.
She urged community members to assist the police in identifying the culprits and to not buy items stolen from schools.
“These criminals must be reported to the police immediately. Let us work together to safeguard the future of our children by exposing these criminal elements,” Motshekga said.
The learners from the affected schools will be the hardest hit, she said, as there could be delays in the implementation of the curriculum recovery plan when schools finally reopen. – SAnews.gov.za