SIPHELELE NKETO
A CASE of robbery was launched for investigation after matric learners in a Highflats school were robbed of their cellphones while preparing for exams.
It was reported that the gunman stormed into the school of Somelulwazi Senior Secondary and demanded cellphones from a teacher and matric learners. No one was injured. The incident was condemned by the mayor of Johannes Phumani Phungula Local Municipality Bathobile Ngubo who said that learners are at a critical stage of their academic journey and these incidents don’t only traumatise them, but threaten to derail their hard work and commitment.
The municipality appealed to the community to rally behind learners during this crucial period.
It said the school had shown remarkable improvement in its matric results over the past years and no act of violence should be allowed to disrupt learners’ progress.
“Incidents of this nature have a negative impact on the goals set by the municipality to improve Grade 12 performance and overall education outcomes. The municipality has full confidence in law enforcement authorities to ensure that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice,” Ngubo added.
Police spokesperson Mosa Hlaki confirmed ongoing investigations. She made a plea to schools having extra classes to notify police so they could receive random patrols. In a separate incident, a school burglary was reported at Ntsikeni Senior Secondary in Umzimkhulu after groceries were stolen from the school.
