MEC for Education in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi slammed the alleged robbery of several staff members that were held hostage at AB Phokompe High School in Randfontein on Friday.
A report indicates that two men gained access by pretending to have an appointment with the principal of the school and were able to hold several educators with the principal of the school hostage.
While the educators were held hostage, their personal belongings were taken by the alleged robbers. “The alleged robbers proceeded to take the personal belongings of educators and the principal such as cellphones, jewellery, money and five laptops,” Lesufi said.
Lesufi adds that the alleged robbers sought to get to the school’s strong room, as they were looking for an employee with the keys to the strong room but they decided to run away with a grey VW Polo, which was found to have a fake number plate.
Gladly, nobody was harmed but frightened. “All employees who were held hostage also walked away unharmed and will receive counselling from our Psycho-social unit on Monday,” Lesufi says. He added that the police are investigating circumstances surrounding this case accordingly.
Lesufi lastly said, “We condemn this cowardly act of targeting our schools by criminal elements in our communities and call on the Randfontein community to assist the police in bringing those responsible to book. We call upon law enforcement to apprehend these suspects and bring them to justice.”
