By Doreen Mokgolo
As the country’s learners return to school on Wednesday, the gates of Matshidiso Special School could stay shut after criminals broke in and raided vital medical equipment.
The education of dozens of learners has been cast into uncertainty after the Tsakane school’s mobile clinic was ransacked over the weekend.
The school principal Thapelo Tshetlo said the clinic is essential because the school caters to children with special needs, many of whom have to deal with medical emergencies.
“As the learners will be back in school from Wednesday, how are we going to attend to their emergencies when some of the emergency equipment has been stolen?” he asked.
The long list of essential items that were stolen includes nebulisers, oxygen cylinders, BP machines, and HGF machines used for blood glucose.
“These criminals are heartless; they even stole sanitary pads, HB metres [for blood testing] and blood pressure machines,” Tshetlo added.
They also broke into seven other classes as well as the kitchen. One of its two stoves was found abandoned along the school’s security fence buried under the long grass.
It is currently unknown when the criminals broke into the school, but the damage was only discovered on Monday morning when the staff members went to the facility to prepare for the school’s re-opening this week.
Tshetlo added that the school has experienced a series of burglaries in the past three years.
He says the school offers skills training and it used some of the equipment that has not been stolen for lessons.
“How are we supposed to empower these learners when every year they are stolen? We are expecting residents to protect the school as it is the only facility catering for children with special needs in the area,” he added.
Chairperson of the SGB, Josias Hlambisse, is urging the community to help protect the school.
“Matshidiso is the only school catering to the needs of learners with special needs in the area, we need to protect the facility,” he said.
Tsakani police spokesperson, Sergeant Lerato Mngomezulu, confirmed that they are investigating a case of a business break-in.
“The suspect has not been arrested and is calling on anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward,” she said.
Picture above: A plundered medicine cabinet in Matshidiso Special School
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
