THE parents of pupils at Duma Primary School in Pienaar outside Mbombela, Mpumalanga, are not happy.
They blame the Department of Education for a burglary that left pupils with no food.
This after thugs broke into the school on Saturday, 20 April and more than 300 pupils had to be turned away on Monday, 22 April after the school suspended teaching and learning.
The thugs allegedly gained entry through a falling fence and parents blame the department for the incident. They claimed they have been asking for a new fence since 2020 but with no luck.
Parent Simphiwe Sithole told Daily Sun they've been engaging with the department to help them with a proper fence, but nothing has been done.
"Now thugs broke in and took all the food. They only left soya mince and a bag of maize meal. That's not enough for the kids. We're angry because most of these kids depend on the school nutrition programme. What must happen now that the thugs have stolen their food?" he said.
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Simphiwe said that none of this could have happened if the department listened to them. He said the incident has shown how unsafe teachers and pupils are.
Mpumalanga Education spokesman Gerald Sambo said the department condemns the burglary in the strongest term. He further called on community members who might have information to report to the nearest police station.
"We ask communities not to buy stolen items because these perpetuate crime in our various communities. We've made arrangements that pupils get their food. Learning and teaching will resume at the school.
"The school is currently under upgrade. Part of the infrastructure upgrade also includes the fencing of the school and a guard house. We are going to try to speed up the process to ensure it is complete as soon as possible, "he said.
A case of burglary has been opened with the police.
