With the possibility of the schools' opening soon, several schools around the Vhembe District suffered a devastating blow when thugs broke in and stole educational advancement materials such as laptops, computers and Wi-fi rooters.
In the latest incident during the lockdown, thieves broke into Mphaphuli Secondary School and Tshishonga Primary in the Thohoyandou policing area and stole 16 laptops, 10 computers and Wi-fi routers.
On Friday, two suspects, Rose Vurangu (23) and Shandukani Mabila (26), appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court and were denied bail after they were found in possession of stolen computers and laptops. Their case was postponed to 3 June for a formal bail application.
Another two suspects, aged 22 and 27, were arrested on Friday in the area. They were also found in possession of laptops, computers, and Wi-fi routers. The police said more arrests were still expected and they would appear in court very soon.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said they received a tip-off from the community that a woman from Miluwani Unit C was in possession of suspicious items. They followed up on the information, upon which the woman was found in possession of two laptops.
According to Mojapelo, during the police investigation and questioning, the woman allegedly failed to provide proof of the origin of the items and she was immediately arrested. As the investigation unfolded, the second suspect, Mabila of Ha-Magidi village was also arrested.
"The laptops and computers we recovered in both Ha-Magidi and Miluwani Unit C were linked to the burglary incidents that happened at Mphaphuli Secondary School and Tshishonga Primary. In the meantime, Vurangu is charged with possession of stolen property and Mabila is charged with possession of stolen property and burglary," said Mojapelo.
The deputy chairperson of Mphaphuli school-governing body, Muzila Nemutamba, said they were worried that the laptops and computers stolen contained the personal files of learners as well as school items. According to Nemutamba, they are also worried that the school has two different security firms whom they pay every month.
"We want the security to take full responsibility for all the items stolen as they were taken under their watch, or we have to suspect that this might be an inside job," said Nemutamba.
The spokeswoman for the Limpopo Department of Education, Tidimalo Chuene, expressed appreciation for the role community members had played in the arrest of the suspects.