THE sopkombuis at CL Wilmot Primary School in Uitsig was targeted by diewe over the school holidays leaving the learners without a daily warm meal.
After the skelms stole equipment and non-perishable foods, the school was forced to adjust its meal plan from a hearty meal to sandwiches.
Community activist and Early Crime Prevention facilitator at the school, Pastor Adam Alexander, said that the criminals stole all the dry ingredients meant for the feeding scheme.
The thieves made off with rice, blikkies vis, chicken livers, pots, the school’s urn as well as kragdrade and equipment.
To make it even worse, he added that the skelms sold the kos in the community.
Alexander told the Daily Voice: “We are very disappointed. These criminals did great damage to the school and stole a bord kos uit ’n kind se mond. The learners did not have food to eat on their first day back to school so the school had to serve them sandwiches.
“The learners do not come from privileged communities, they are from the poorest areas in Uitsig.
“When they come to the feeding scheme in the morning and you ask them if they ate, they say they did not have anything to eat in the morning before school or the night before because there was nothing to eat at home.
“My biggest concern is that the residents in the community bought the food but their children are also part of the school and also come every morning to get a meal at the feeding scheme.
“We received information of who the perpetrator is, and he is a regular criminal in the area and currently on the run but we are following up on any information.”
Millicent Merton from the Western Cape Education Department said that the break-in was reported on 7 July.
She confirmed: “A break-in was reported at the school on Monday, 7 July 2025, where unknown suspects gained access to the kitchen and stole equipment and non-perishable food items intended for the National School Nutrition Programme.
“As a result, the school has been forced to adjust its meal provision and will be serving sandwiches to learners in lieu of warm meals. The incident has been reported to the police.
“This senseless act highlights the need for collective protection and care of our schools. The theft of kitchen equipment and food meant for learners is deeply concerning.
“Let’s work together to safeguard these vital community assets and ensure our children have access to the nutrition they need.”
Meanwhile it was not all doom and gloom for the school as a nuwe urn was donated to them by a local in Uitsig, however they still need two new 150 litre pots.
If anyone would like to donate towards to the feeding please contact 067 169 5995.