Schools in Hanover Park have been targeted by thieves, causing extensive damage. These include Parkfields Primary, which was broken into on Thursday night.
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According to Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond, the school bathrooms were targeted with basins and chrome taps stolen from three bathrooms, including pipes after locks were broken off on the bathrooms doors to gain access.
‘The school has security, but not on a permanent basis. An assessment of the school’s security needs will be conducted,’ Hammond said.
Hammond said the incident followed vandalism at another school.
Speaking to IOL, Hanover Park Community Policing Forum Secretary Yaseen Johaar said that copper water fittings and wiring in the roof were found to have been stolen from Crystal High School on Saturday.
The theft of water pipes and copper fittings caused considerable flooding in the classrooms, corridors and hall areas at the same school in June.
‘Ceiling is damaged in different locations and water gushing out affected the classrooms. Because of this, the water will be off on Monday at the school, so kids need to bring their own water bottles. Taps do not work as well as flushing the toilet.’
He said that the water had been left running for hours at Parkfields Primary School.
‘It is extremely sad to confirm that the school (Chrystal) was targeted again, with pipes and electrical cables being stolen, causing further flooding and electrical damage,’ Hammond said.
‘As there were contractors on site addressing the repair needs of the previous incident, they were able to contain the flooding on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, the cable theft has led to electrical damage, which is being addressed.’
Hammond said school management and the school governing body have arranged to have members on site on Saturday night to protect the school.
‘The school does have a security guard, however, they unfortunately cannot guard all areas of the school at the same time. Safe Schools have been notified. An assessment of their security will be conducted.’
‘Many of the items stolen are then sold on to copper traders illegally. We ask that the community reports any information pertaining to this crime to the authorities.’
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Picture: Dawid Małecki / Unsplash