Arch Makgoba condemns Limpopo school burnings, amid Alex security anxieties
ALEXANDRA – Alex schools experience a spate of burglaries and security anxiety mounts.
The Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has added his condemnation of the recent burning down and destruction of schools in Limpopo Province, calling it an unacceptable criminal act.
“Schools are sacrosanct places which should be respected, protected and preserved for children and for future posterity,” Makgoba said during a visit to his alma mater, Pholosho Secondary School. He said it was unheard of, even during apartheid days, for such a level of destruction of schools which are a repository of knowledge.
Makgoba appealed to government to apprehend and prosecute the culprits and to also speed up service delivery commitments which were sometimes causes of public frustration. Despite the pain he was feeling from the Limpopo incident that was denying children learning, he said that he was back at his former school to help inspire children to get an education, which is the only gateway to a better future.
His condemnation coincides with mounting concerns of crime and burglaries at some Alexandra schools. This year, Eastbank and Kwa-Bhekilanga Secondary schools reported burglaries which cost the schools millions of rand in computer equipment and others items. Recently, a guard was shot and hospitalised after a burglary at Alexandra Secondary School, resulting in the loss of costly tablets recently delivered. Other computers were also stolen at Ikage Primary School and twice at MC Weiler Primary School after the alarm system was ripped off.
Last week, an education official, visiting Emfundisweni Primary School for a workshop, had two bags containing equipment stolen, by two youths who escaped after schoolchildren chased them.
School authorities are worried that the burglaries may start occurring during the day, risking the safety of children, staff and security guards. There is also concern for the night patrollers who are unarmed and vulnerable to armed criminals.
Alexandra Police Station commander Colonel Nhluvuko Zondi expressed similar concerns. ” The criminals use violent and destructive methods and brutal action when confronted, as was the case in the Alexandra Secondary School incident. Sometimes they use hammers to destroy school walls which residents of neighbouring homes could hear,” Zondi said. She urged for a better-co-ordinated approach on security by the Department of Education and security agencies. Zondi couldn’t rule out the possible collusion of criminals with those familiar with the school setting.
She urged the community to regard schools and all public property as theirs and to report all acts of vandalism.
