Armed men rob laptops at Vhulaudzi

Pupils of Vhulaudzi Secondary school were left stranded after thugs had broken into the school and stolen 14 laptop computers a fortnight ago.

The principal, Mr Mukondeleli Makwarela, said it was reported that a group of armed men had forced the security officer on duty to open the office where the laptops were kept. “There were pupils studying in one of the classrooms and one of the thugs took their cell phones and money at gunpoint. They threatened to kill the pupils if they screamed. The thugs also injured the guard and used an iron bar to open the computer room and steal the laptops,” said Makwarela.

He said the pupils received counselling at Siloam Hospital and that they had opened a case of housebreaking and theft.

The chairperson of the school governing body, Mr Albert Mafhala, said he was happy that the pupils were coping after their traumatic experience and that the lessons continued without any interruptions. “It is, however, disturbing that the laptops were stolen. It is for more than 600 pupils and the loss is an immense setback to our pupils,” said Mafhala.

The department of education’s senior communication manager, Dr Naledzani Rasila, said the theft of computers at schools was known to the department and communities should report any unusual movement at schools, especial in the evenings. He added that laptops were valuable material that helped to educate pupils and people should support the police by giving information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

“We can’t request the police to go and guard schools because they have a lot of work to do. We are working day and night with different stakeholders to curb this issue,” he said.

The spokesperson for the Siloam SAPS, W/O Edward Tharaga, said they had opened cases of housebreaking and theft and the pointing of a firearm. “Investigations are underway,” said Tharaga.
Other schools around Vhembe that were were hit by thugs are Muthuhadini Combined School, Tshiungulela High and Magoni High.

Date:17 June 2015

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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