Robbers target three Limpopo schools, assault guards and pupil - TimesLIVE

Three schools in Limpopo’s Vhembe District have been targeted in separate overnight robberies, with armed suspects assaulting two security officers and a pupil before making off with tablets, laptops, cellphones and other equipment worth thousands.

Police are investigating the three separate business robberies.

According to police, the first incident occurred at Folovhodwe Primary School in the Muswodi policing area at about 11.40pm on Monday.

It is reported unknown armed suspects gained entry into the school premises by climbing over a wall.

They allegedly approached the security guard room, broke a window and threatened the security officer with a firearm.

Police spokesperson Brig Hlulani Mashaba said the suspects tied the security officer’s hands with shoelaces and forced him to lead them to the administration block.

“They forced open the door using a pick and other objects before stealing 45 tablets, a laptop and a camera hard drive with a combined estimated value of R82,500. The security officer was subsequently locked inside a strong room,” he said.

The second incident occurred at Tshilala Secondary School in Ha-Dumasi Village, Thohoyandou, at about 11.45pm on Tuesday. Unknown armed suspects allegedly gained entry into the school premises through the back of the property after finding the main gate locked.

Mashaba said three suspects allegedly forced their way into the security guard room, where two security officers were on duty, while four others remained outside.

The suspects reportedly shot and injured both security officers with a single bullet before forcing them into a classroom where pupils were studying,” he said.

The suspects allegedly robbed the pupils of four tablets and an iPhone valued at about R5,000. They proceeded to the staff room, where they forced open a security door and stole a box containing 20 tablets valued at R120,000 and another box containing scientific calculators worth R46,350.

The third incident occurred at Shinguwa High School in Chavani, under the Waterval policing area, at about 1.30am on Wednesday.

Mashaba said a 20-year-old male pupil was allegedly sleeping inside a classroom when he heard screams from another classroom. A few minutes later, three unknown suspects wearing balaclavas allegedly forced open the classroom door and gained entry.

The suspects, one armed with a firearm, allegedly demanded his cellphone.

“The armed suspect allegedly struck the pupil on the head with the firearm, took his cellphone and fled the scene.”