WCED urges communities to help keep watch over school property during holidays

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is calling on residents to keep a close eye on schools during the holidays to combat criminality.

Friday marks the end of the third term, with the fourth and final term beginning on 1 October.

It's common for vandals and burglars to strike during school holidays, and steal various items, from laptops, computers and other equipment to food stored for school feeding schemes.

Education MEC David Maynier: "While we have subsidised security at 462 schools during the break. We appeal to the public to keep an eye on their local schools during the holidays and to report any suspicious activity to the SAPS [South African Police Service] immediately. Let us all work together to keep our schools safe during the school holidays."