By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela applauded the police for arresting four suspects who were found to be in possession of school items like laptops, tablets, projectors, and a set of kits for various sports in separate incidents.
North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said they have arrested two suspects aged between 25 and 27 who allegedly broke and stole school items at Maiketso Primary School in Morokweng village.
Mokgwabone said it is alleged that the principal realised on arrival at the school that the strong room was broken into.
“Upon inspection, he established that brand new laptops, tablets, a projector, and a camera all valued at R215 000 had been stolen. A case of burglary was registered for investigation.
“During the investigation, the team made a follow-up on information, leading to the arrest of the pair in Morokweng. Subsequently, 16 laptops, nine tablets, a projector, and the camera were recovered in Morokweng and Seweding village in Kuruman,” he said.
Mokgwabone said the police also recovered 10 suspected stolen sheep, which were kept in a makeshift kraal in the yard where the suspects were arrested. He added that the investigation revealed that the sheep were stolen in Ganyesa.
“They were all positively identified by the lawful owner. Both suspects will appear in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Monday for burglary business, possession of suspected stolen goods and stock theft,” said Mokgwabone.
In a separate incident regarding burglary committed at Mmoledi Secondary school in Phitsane village near Mahikeng, the police arrested two suspects that were found to be in a possession of school items such as 16 laptops, 150 tablets, 1 projector, 2 sets of netball kit, 3 sets of soccer kit and 2 sets of volleyball kit and damaged office doors, said Mokgwabone.
It is alleged that the suspects tore down the school fence in order to gain access to the school premises and broke into the laboratory. Mokgwabone added that the suspects gained entry through the roof of the staff room, where they used the grinder to open the school strong room.
Matsemela is delighted after the arrest and retrieval of goods. She said the police did a sterling job by apprehending these suspects.
“It is really disappointing for adults to be involved in destroying the future of our learners. I want justice to be done to the fullest and those responsible for this should be sentenced to jail for a long time.
“Such incidents are a drawback and are planned to disadvantage the future of the African child during the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR),” said Matsemela.
She warned all those who continue to vandalise schools and urged them to desist from that act of criminality. Matsemela said the ‘wheels of the law’ will deal with them harshly.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the police for working tirelessly to ensure that the suspects are arrested and goods are recovered.
The Guardian 