Surge in burglaries threatens ICT infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal schools

KwaZulu-Natal schools are under siege from criminals targeting their information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure. 

A string of schools has been robbed and their ICT infrastructure has been taken. 

KZN Education Department spokesperson Mlu Mtshali said the department is aware of these incidents. 

He stated that although schools have security measures in place, they are insufficient, as criminals manage to break in and overpower the guards.

“We need to do more to protect schools,” Mtshali said. 

He said criminals were targeting schools with ICT infrastructure, which was concerning for the Department of Education. 

“We’re engaging with our stakeholders, police, CPFs, traditional leaders, and communities, about how we can better improve school safety,” Mtshali said. 

The Public Servants Association (PSA) expressed concern over the recent spate of burglaries at Pietermaritzburg schools. 

Mentioning a few incidents, the PSA’s Charles Ngubane said that at Inzuzwenhle Full Service School, thieves stole eight laptops kept in a safe, 11 computer towers, a Wi-Fi sim card, and an extension cord. 

At Sibongumbomvu Combined School, thieves stole 22 laptops, a television set, Wi-Fi routers, and other products after a high-tech application was launched.

“These burglaries are another blow to digital education efforts in KwaZulu-Natal, as the equipment was meant to bridge the gap in accessibility to technology, especially in previously disadvantaged rural schools,” Ngubane said. 

He said the PSA is concerned about school thefts, as it is a serious matter requiring the department’s attention and intervention.  

“The PSA urges the department to implement stringent security measures, using tracking software so that even if resources are stolen, these can be traced, and educating learners, staff, and communities to report crime as it disrupts education,” Ngubane said.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, five computers, five laptops, and several confiscated cellphones were stolen from Zamazulu Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg. 

School governing body (SGB) chairperson Nonhlanhla Mabaso said that when the incident occurred, one security guard was patrolling while another was in the guard room. Both guards were robbed of their cellphones, panic button, and tied up before being taken with the robbers through the school. 

She said they were asked for staff room keys, but the guards said they did not have them. They then broke the locks and took the guards. 

They entered the principal’s and deputy principal’s offices and broke locks and stole what they wanted. They then asked the guards for keys to the computer lab. Again, they did not have them. 

“When they broke into the lab, the alarm sounded, disturbing them. Then they heard a vehicle at the gate and ran away,” Mabaso said. 

She said the vehicle was from a security company that tried to pursue the suspects but could not find them. 

Mabaso said this crime will affect pupils using computers. On the teaching side, she said all the school’s information was on the laptop and computer in one of the offices. 

“It’s an ongoing operation to break into schools and take computers. In other schools, they took tablets, so it’s an ongoing criminal operation,” Mabaso said after hearing about other school robberies.

She said she hopes the criminals are apprehended and that police increase visibility to deter criminals. 

Police have been approached for comment.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za