Gun-wielding men robbed teachers and school pupils of their valuables at a school in Jouberton near Klerksdorp on Sunday morning (27/8). 

Five suspects armed with guns broke into the school premises whilst teachers and pupils were gathering for a weekend study camp and robbed of their tablets and cell phones at Are-Fadimeng Secondary School.  

The incident has since been condemned by the MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, who said she was aggrieved by this. She has since labelled this as a barbaric act, deliberately setting pupils back.

“As the North West Department of Education, we are progressively improving the quality of education of learners by exposing our learners through engagements that bridge the technological divide by affording them gadgets for educational purposes.  It seems we live in a society that is contrary to the progress of the African child. This is unbecoming behaviour and needs to stop.  Now we are left with learners with no gadgets and emotionally damaged," Motsumi said.

She has further called on the police to move swiftly in their search and arrest of the criminals and bring them to book.

According to the school report, five armed men gained entry to the school premises at around 04:00, where 58 learners and a teacher had gathered for an organised weekend camp for Grade 12 Physical Science learners who were voluntarily joined by five accounting learners.

“Learners were taken to hospital for psychological evaluation as six learners experienced severe shock.”

No sign of forced entry was reported.

Meanwhile, the departmental spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane, has since provided a further clarion around the matter following this incident.

Molokwane said the armed robbers tied the security guard in his guard house and proceeded to where the learners and teachers had lodged. They then tied them up, confiscated their tablets and cellphones, and fled.

“No physical harm was caused to the teacher and learners. Police were called and a case was opened. Learners were taken to hospital for psychological evaluation as six learners experienced severe shock,” Molokwane added.

The Department is set to offer psychological support to all learners as of Monday (28/8).

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