Western Cape Education Condemns School Burglary and Vandalism | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Education Condemns School Burglary and Vandalism

20 January 2014

Media Statement by Donald Grant, Western Cape Minister of Education

It is always disappointing to hear of an incident of burglary or vandalism in our schools.

I find it very disturbing that people are prepared to damage a school classroom or steal resources that are meant to teach young learners.

In the December/January holiday period there were 38 reported cases of burglary and vandalism in the Western Cape. 34 of these cases were minor and 4 were major.

The Cape Winelands District had 11 reported cases, followed by Metro East with 8 and Metro South with 5 cases. The West Coast district reported 1 case.

The worst case reported was at Joe Slovo Secondary in Khayelitsha. The damage on two science laboratories and several classrooms was extensive.

The vandals pulled out electrical cables, removed overhead projectors and taps. They removed laboratory equipment, stole copper pipes and left water running in classrooms.

They did not stop there.

They also removed copper in windows, table frames and whiteboards in four classrooms, and damaged the ceilings.

 The total cost of repairs and the replacement of equipment is believed to be over R500 000. (the final amount still needs to be determined).

This is R500 000 that the WCED could have spent on textbooks and readers, or on new technology.

In most of the cases reported over the holiday period, copper piping and electrical cabling seem to be the main target. In 5 of the cases, computer equipment was stolen.

In most cases, these schools had alarm systems, and in others - 24 hour security.

While we can try to safeguard our schools with additional security measures, we cannot win the fight against school burglary and vandalism without community support as schools, given their extensive physical infrastructure, are very difficult areas to secure.

I have said time and time again that community support and action is the best deterrent for burglary and vandalism.

Athwood Primary School is a good example of the role communities can play. Before 2012, this school was targeted by vandals on a frequent basis – so much so – that the Department stated that the “systematic theft and burglary of the school on a regular basis has rendered the school unsafe”. 

The school community of Hanover Park then decided to rally together to protect their school, patrolling the school grounds after school hours and during school holidays.

Their active engagement in protecting their school has proved success – there have been no further burglaries at this school since 2012.

I would like to see other school communities take an active part in the safety and security of their schools – as in the situation we have seen at Athwood.

Communities are the eyes and ears of their spaces and everyone should help protect schools as it is a fundamental part of a community and the future of its children.

(Please note: The WCED does not identify the names of schools that have been affected by burglary and vandalism. In many cases, the damages caused by the perpetrators can result in a security threat or breach. Therefore, it is our policy to not announce the names, unless being approached with a specific school request. The example of Joe Slovo was mentioned as it has  already been widely reported in the media.)

Media Enquiries: 
Bronagh Casey
Spokesperson for Minister Donald Grant
Tel: 021 467 2377
Cell: 072 7241422
Fax: 021 425 3616