Parents had to fetch their traumatised children for the second time in a week from Vuselela Primary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Friday.
Last Monday, parents were called to come and pick up their kids after teachers were robbed of their cellphones, money, and bank cards by nine armed intruders.
The incident left everyone terrified. Learners ran for their lives after seeing one of the gunmen chasing the school principal with a gun while other thugs were robbing teachers in the staff room.
On Friday, a suspicious vehicle was seen parked outside the school. Learners spotting the car screamed and ran to hide. Once again, parents went to fetch their kids.
Western Cape Education spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said there was no robbery at the school on Friday.
“A suspicious vehicle was seen outside the school in the morning, and allegedly the occupants made a signal to some of the children that they would return,” said Hammond.
“This caused some concern within the community following Monday’s incident, and parents came to fetch their children.”
She said teachers and learners are understandably traumatised after what happened last Monday.
“We have provided counselling and will be engaging further with the school. SAPS has been patrolling around the school during the mornings and when learners are dismissed to go home],” said Hammond.
Security has also been arranged for the school starting from Monday 29 April.
A parent speaking anonymously said she was worried about sending her children to the school because she feared the suspects would return.
“Our kids are not safe at school. If criminals have the nerve to signal to our kids, they will come back again and cause chaos and more stress at the school. Our kids cannot concentrate because they know that criminals can come in at any time,” said the parent.
“I am speaking on behalf of the parents. We are facing the same problem. Our kids are traumatised, they struggle to sleep and are not looking forward to going to school. Crime is out of hand, and our leaders are doing nothing.”
Pictured above: Vuselela Primary School.
Image source: Supplied.
