The community of Mahatma Gandhi Crescent in Belvedere, Tongaat, is calling on authorities to intervene and make changes after Trubel Primary School was once again targeted by criminals and robbed of equipment on Saturday, 8 October.
The alleged robbers made off with expensive equipment such as drills, angle grinders, saws and electric planers, which were taken from a handy room located within the school premises. Speaking to the Tongaat and Verulam Tabloid, the chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB), Chantal Govender, said it was extremely disheartening to hear that Trubel Primary has once again been targeted by robbers. “This really saddens me as I was reassured, at a pre-election meeting held at Trubel Primary almost a year ago, by Councillor Dolly Munien that the dilapidated neighbouring school which harbours these criminals will be something of the past. If integrity is a problem within people, then this is what the end result looks like. Our school services the two informal settlements with learners that come from improvised backgrounds,” said Govender. She said, as members of the SGB, they work tirelessly with the educators to raise funds to ensure that they have a functional school. “The theft has once again left us without the necessary equipment which we really need on a daily basis. I strongly believe that the council must be held accountable for the losses that the school has incurred. We need answers to this unoccupied building that is an eyesore and danger to the community of Belvedere,” said Govender.
The school principal, Guru Ramcharan, said this was not the first incident suffered by Trubel Primary. He said the school has been broken into many times, but neither the SAPS or anyone else can figure out or track down the suspects and the missing equipment. “It’s very disturbing to note that the thieves can rob the very same school that is providing education for the children in their community. To date, on the previous break-ins I have received no feedback and this robbery will be the same. How do we make progress when we are hampered by theft and destruction of property. I urge the residents to be vigilant and stop buying stolen goods from these thieves,” said Ramcharan. Ramu Gounden, the caretaker of the school, said the incident occurred on Saturday while he was away paying his respects at the funeral of a local resident, when criminals entered the room that he kept his tools in. He said: “It’s really devastating because those are the tools that I use in my daily work around the school, to keep the yard neat and safe for the children and staff. I always have them locked up safely away because they are really expensive. I don’t understand the nature of a person who can rob an educational institution.”
A resident of the area, who wished to remain anonymous, said vagrants target schools because they see them as easy targets. “My daughter attends the school and I know first-hand what Trubel Primary and governing body does to make sure that the institution is running as well as it can. It makes me angry that this school has been targeted yet again and nothing is being done. This could easily happen again and that would leave the school in a crucial state. As a parent I hope that the authorities understand the extent to these robberies and at least do daily patrols even during the weekend because at this point it is needed.” Dolly Munien, Ward 61 Councillor, urged the residents to become more vigilant and start reporting when they see any suspicious behaviour happening. She said: “We need residents to assist the community at the end of the day it is our children who are attending this primary school. So please residents assist in every way possible to avoid another incident as such, especially those that live near the school.” Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, of Provincial SAPS, confirmed the incident and said the suspects gained entry by breaking through a storeroom window and stole a Ryobi skill saw and Stram angle grinder. She added that a case of burglary was opened at Tongaat police station and is under investigation.
