Of the 30 schools in the Roodepoort area, at least 13 have been burgled in the recent past – five of them in the space of a month. There were also two consecutive break-ins in October and November last year, as investigated by a Record journalist.
This follows a recent Record report of a burglary at Culembeeck Primary on Sunday 2 March.
Allegedly it is the work of a syndicate, and there are several common factors linking the burglaries.
Firstly, the thieves seem to be after electronic equipment. Stolen items include computers, digital and security cameras, laptops, a CCTV server, data projectors and voice recorders. One school lost every computer in their computer laboratory.
In the majority of the cases the thieves came through the ceiling and cut the alarm. They have succeeded twice in getting through strong room doors and a safe by using grinders.
Despite the alarm systems, and the fact that some of the schools had security cameras, the thieves were unhindered in their pursuits. A vice principal commented that they seemed to find the cameras inconsequential, “when they noticed the cameras they just switched off the lights and carried on”. In some instances the security cameras were stolen as well.
Most schools were wary about commenting and two refused to give any information at all, stating that it would be a security risk. Several schools had been warned by their district inspectors not to speak to the press and they gave very little information. The vast majority asked not to be named.
Of the 15 schools that have yet to be targeted, eight of them seemed to expect it to happen eventually, answering “not yet” when asked if they had had a break-in.
Phumla Sekhonyane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education has stated that the department “[is] aware of all the incidents and they have been reported to the police.
“School safety is a priority for the department and as such, a School Safety Strategy has been developed.
“One of its key elements is linking all schools to nearby police stations to strengthen crime prevention and rapid response.”
Sekhonyane added that the department is concerned about the matter and will be meeting with the police’s area management to discuss how to strengthen safety at schools.
The Roodepoort Police is yet to comment.
