As many as 41 incidents of burglary and vandalism, affecting 34 schools, have been reported by schools that took place over the December 2021/January 2022 school holidays.
Among these schools, two on the West Coast also reported incidents.
Western Cape Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer said most of the incidents were minor in nature, with just two major incidents reported. Thirty-eight minor incidents were reported and one had negligible damage. “This is a significant decrease compared to the 59 incidents reported in the December 2020-January 2021 holidays (bearing in mind that the 2020-’21 holiday was much longer), but nonetheless remains a serious concern.”
Schäfer says items stolen included IT and audio-visual equipment, electrical cables and fixtures, fencing, water pipes and ablution fixtures, air-conditioning units, gas tanks, stationery, kitchen equipment, Covid-19 safety supplies, bicycles and workshop tools.
“There were also incidents of vandalism, particularly the smashing of windows as well as damage to school buildings during burglaries. The Western Cape Education Departement provided holiday security to 477 schools over the December-January holidays, but in some instances even security guards and cameras did not thwart determined criminals.”
Schäfer urges the public to report any suspicious-looking activity around a school to police or the Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47 immediately.
