The Department is devastated following an incident in which criminals bombed strong room doors and stole 26 laptops from two schools on Friday, 10 April 2026. The affected schools are Moteu Makabanyane Primary School and Ipelegeng Batlharo Primary School, both are located in Disaneng Village near Mafikeng.
It is reported that on the morning of Friday, 10 April 2026, staff at both schools discovered that the strong rooms located in the principals’ offices had been broken into with the doors blown off, using heavy explosives.
At Moteu Makabanyane Primary School criminals stole 14 laptops while 12 laptops were taken from Ipelegeng Batlharo Primary School. In both schools these devices were used by teachers for lesson preparation, research and classroom teaching.
Mr Joel Maleka the School Principal of Moteu Makabanyane Primary School expressed extreme disappointment over the destruction of the school property and the theft of laptops.
“I am extremely disappointed by the act of destroying our school and stealing laptops that benefit our learners. Just the previous day, we were using them without any suspicion that they would be stolen. Now the entire office is in disarray after explosives were used to demolish the walls of our strong room including the principal’s office. We do not know how we will replace these laptops and our learners are going to suffer,” said Mr Maleka.
The MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, strongly condemned the theft and destruction of school property.
“The situation is getting out of control. It is clear that criminals are now targeting schools to further their interests. Just recently, there was an incident where a classroom was set alight at FM Ramaboa Technical School and now we are faced with the theft of computers. All these incidents are taking place within the Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
“This is an act of self-destruction. We are destroying the little that the government has provided for us. More importantly, we are destroying the future of our own children. A nation that does not educate its children is doomed. I am appealing to all communities in this province to remain vigilant against illegal activities taking place in our schools. They must ensure that such acts are reported to the nearest police stations. Furthermore, the public must refrain from buying stolen goods and instead report such criminal activities to the police,” said MEC Motsumi.
In both schools, cases of theft of computers and malicious damage to property have been opened with the South African Police Service.
download: Media Statement
