Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

5 June, 2018

Minister Schafer announces R10 000 reward for information following armed attacks on schools.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

In the last three weeks there have been 4 separate armed attacks on our schools. The armed robberies were timed to take place just after the school day had ended, with learners and educators still participating in after-school activities and meetings.

Educators and staff were threatened at gunpoint and were robbed of personal items. School ICT equipment was stolen and, in one case, a vehicle was hijacked on the premises. I am just extremely grateful that no learner or educator has been fatally harmed during these attacks.

In all four incidents, however, it has left our staff traumatised and in fear of their safety.

I do not blame them.

The WCED has provided additional security at the schools and trauma counselling, however, this will not prevent another attack from happening at another school.

It is not yet certain if the attacks are related but there is a clear indication that our schools are being targeted for specific reasons and at a certain time of the day.

These criminals need to be stopped before they attack another school. That is why, today, I am issuing a reward of R10 000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of these individuals. The reward will be shared if there is more than one person who provides evidence that results in a conviction and if more than one person provides the same information, the reward will be given to the first person who comes forward.

The reward will be paid in cash, and the anonymity of the caller will be secured, unless they are required to personally give evidence.

Members of the public with information pertaining to the following armed robberies must please contact our WCED Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47 - this is a toll free number.

The schools and the dates of the armed robberies are as follows:

The WCED is not a security agency and we cannot investigate and make arrests ourselves - but we are determined to do what we can to assist in securing convictions to prevent similar attacks on our schools.

Myself and the Head of Department, Mr Brian Schreuder, have therefore engaged with the City of Cape Town, who have offered the services of their Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which has recently been re-established by the City. We are aware that SAPS is overloaded, and this will assist them in processing any evidence that we receive. All information will be fed to them.

We are grateful for the City's offer to assist in this regard.

This is the first time that the WCED has made a reward of this kind. Unfortunately, we have been left with no choice. The safety of our educators and learners is a priority to us, but we cannot always protect our schools when it comes to armed attacks of this nature.

I want these criminals to also know that we are looking for them. We will not put up with this blatant show of violence against our learners and their teachers!

It is important, however, that all our schools remain vigilant.

We have requested increased police visibility around our schools and we are liaising with various community organisations for their assistance.

Minister Plato, myself and senior WCED officials are meeting with Provincial Police Commissioner, General Jula this afternoon to discuss the matter further.

The WCED has issued a notice to schools to ensure that their relevant Access Control Policies are in place. Schools have been asked to ensure that their administration blocks are in complete lock-down with limited and controlled access to staff only, that all movable assets be kept in the school safe when not in use, that the entry and exiting of learners be supervised and that SGBs discuss, as soon as possible, all security arrangements at their school.

It is crucial that all schools have a working relationship with law enforcement agencies and that they are represented within the School Safety Committees which meet on a regular basis to identify and address prioritized safety and security needs. Every school is linked to a SAPS precinct and the school should have a close working relationship with the Sector Commander so as to ensure SAPS visibility during arrival and dismissal times of learners & educators. All schools must have the cellular contact number of the Sector Commander in order to make direct contact in the case of an emergency.

I know our communities value their schools and I therefore appeal to our communities to stand up for our learners and educators by making the call.

The message needs to be clear to all criminals - leave our schools alone!

Click here to view the reward poster

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Email: Jessica.shelver@westerncape.gov.za