Teachers and learners at Noxolo Xauka Primary School in Khayelitsha are in shock after being held at gunpoint by six armed men on Tuesday 30 May.
The attack happened at the time were there were external learners who were writing Grade 12 supplementary exams at the school. The learners and the teachers from the school were preparing to leave the school when the robbers entered and held them up. They then proceeded to take a microwave, two computer monitors, and three cellphones before hijacking a parent’s car and used it as a getaway car leaving the premises. The parent arrived at school to fetch his child while the robbery was in progress. No physical injuries were reported.
Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department, confirmed the incident and said that they were providing counselling support to the staff who had experienced the traumatic event. She said the school is also being advised on improving its security measures to prevent any future incidents. This is not the first time that school teachers have been targeted by thieves. In April, teachers were robbed at Masivuke Primary School in Philippi in a similar incident.
The police have been notified of the incident and are still investigating the robbery. Anyone with information is asked to contact Harare SAPS. The community is urged to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.