After waiting in vain for five years for a fence to keep skelms out and pupils inside, a Mitchells Plain school has been burgled for the eighth time in just three months.
But this time, the skelm saw his gat after he was nabbed by police.
Alpine Primary School in Eastridge has no back fence after it was destroyed by vandals.
The Daily Voice team observed how laaities leave the school across the broken fence to go to a tuckshop during break time.
The school was also broken into two weeks ago when skelms made holes in the ceilings of the principal and vice-principal’s offices to gain entry.
The administration block was badly vandalised with damage calculated at over R60 000, while thieves stole a computer, monitor, mouse and keyboard, as well as chemicals and stationery.
Despite CCTV footage handed over to cops, the burglaries continue.
On Thursday night, the skelms were back, this time making a hole in the ceiling of the kitchen, and stole stationery and appliances.
A staff member, who cannot be identified, says the school is in desperate need of an upgrade.
ACCESS: Broken fence
“This is the eighth incident since April. These are asbestos roofs and the school is over 30 years old, so these thieves find it easy to enter because it can just be broken.
“The problem is how can we safeguard the school when there is no back fence? This makes the school vulnerable. We need the community to be our eyes and ears.”
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, confirmed the burglary and says: “The perpetrators damaged the ceiling, stole kitchen equipment, two kettles and one multi-plug.
“The school will apply for emergency repairs. The school is on the fencing list.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant George Mjiwu, confirms the burglary and says: “A 30-year-old man was arrested on premises. He will appear in Mitchells Plain Magistrate's Court once charged.”