By Staff Reporter
RITA VILLAGE-The community and parents of learners at the Khopo Primary School are calling for the Department of Basic Education and Police to take action against food handlers.
The trio is allegedly caught stealing food intended for the school’s nutrition programme on Wednesday, 22 March.
They were found in the wee hours of the morning by community members who were passing by the school going to work.
A community member told Tzaneen voice that they confronted the three suspects.
“We found them loading maize meal, milk and other items. We asked where they were taking them, but they couldn’t tell us and started running”
He said they gave different explanations, making it clear they were taking the food for themselves.
“Children from disadvantaged backgrounds rely on this food. If the school’s staff takes it then it’s a problem.
The department must punish them. We cannot allow thieves in our schools,” he said.
Another community member said they would be meeting with principal Shingange and SGB.
“How can you take something that is not yours? What they did was very wrong,” he said.
The department could not be reached for comment.
Another community member said they wanted the department to take action. They said they had not yet reported the matter to cops as they wanted the department to deal with it.
He said this is not the first incident where staff allegedly stole food. The two suspects are from Sharpville and one is from Burgsdorp.
It was alleged that sometimes, they sold food, stationery and donated items to the community. #Tzaneenvoice
