The Western Cape Department of Education has reported a significant decrease in incidents of vandalism and theft at schools during the 2025/26 summer holidays, but officials warn that even one incident is “too many.”
According to Minister of Education David Maynier, 36 incidents were recorded across 32 schools this year, compared to 47 incidents at 34 schools during the 2024/25 holiday period.
The reduction comes after the department subsidised holiday security at 441 schools and strengthened collaboration with the South African Police Service to monitor school properties more closely.
Minister Maynier described the improvement as “a marked decrease, demonstrating more effective target hardening and monitoring of school properties.”
Despite the drop, the Minister emphasised the ongoing impact of these crimes.
“This is still 36 incidents too many,” he said, highlighting that stolen or damaged items included fencing, electrical cables, plumbing fixtures, kitchen equipment, and food for learners.
In one alarming case, “over 100 windows at a school were deliberately damaged – an act of senseless criminality.”
“Thefts and vandalism divert funding from the core task of educating our learners so that they can get a job or study further when they leave school,” Maynier said.
“Stealing from a school is stealing from a child’s future.”
The Department of Education urged communities to remain vigilant.
“A watchful school community can thwart even the most dedicated of criminals and vandals,” the Minister said.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to SAPS or the Safe Schools hotline.
Minister Maynier concluded with a call to action for anyone with information about the holiday incidents.
“You may hold the key piece of information that will allow SAPS to arrest the perpetrators and recover our schools’ stolen property.”
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za