Cape Town - In just less than a week after schools have closed for the end of year holidays, Imperial Primary school in Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain has been burgled and 15 tablets stolen.
The incident allegedly occurred late at night when the area was experiencing load shedding.
The Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson Abbie Isaacs confirmed that this was not the first incident to occur at the school. He said they were concerned that in other areas load shedding was a contributing factor to these incidents.
“As the CFSF we condemn these acts of burglary, especially in our learning centres, in the strongest terms. We request that the community assist law enforcement agencies in apprehending the alleged suspects.
“We know that they are attempting to sell the items to the same community through the black market and at the same time, pleading with the community to not buy stolen goods,” he said.
Isaacs said the forum would engage with the community, which he said should take responsibility as these criminals were from the same area.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Millicent Merton said the estimated value of the stolen items could not be determined at present.
She said the school had a close relationship with the police and the community, and that the burglary had been reported.
“The WCED appeals to all communities to be the ears and eyes of the school by reporting unusual activity around school buildings. We have had cases in the past whereby the community has reported unusual activity in the night, which has resulted in perpetrators being caught in the act. Communities are also encouraged to report stolen goods – this can also lead to arrests,” she said.
Neither Isaacs nor the Western Cape Education Department could confirm whether there was a security guard stationed at the school.