Armed robbers target three Limpopo schools, steal tablets and assault security guards

Police in Limpopo are investigating three separate school robberies in the Vhembe District in which armed suspects assaulted two security officers, robbed learners and stole electronic equipment worth hundreds of thousands of rands.

The robberies occurred at Tshilala Secondary School in Thohoyandou, Folovhodwe Primary School in Muswodi and Shinguwa High School in Waterval between Monday and Wednesday.

In the latest incident, a group of armed suspects allegedly stormed Tshilala Secondary School in Ha-Dumasi Village at about 11.45pm on Tuesday.

According to Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, the suspects gained entry through the back of the school after finding the main gate locked.

Three suspects allegedly forced their way into the security guard room, where two security officers were on duty, while four others remained outside.

The suspects reportedly shot and injured both security officers with a single bullet before forcing them into a classroom where learners were studying.

The robbers then allegedly stole four tablets and an iPhone worth about R5 000 from the learners.

They proceeded to the staff room, where they forced open a burglar door and stole a box containing 20 tablets worth R120 000 and another box of scientific calculators valued at R46 350. In the second incident, armed suspects targeted Folovhodwe Primary School in the Muswodi policing area at about 11.40pm on Monday.

The suspects allegedly climbed over the school's perimeter wall, broke a window at the security guard room and threatened the security officer with a firearm.

They tied his hands with shoelaces and forced him to lead them to the administration block.

After breaking open the door using a pick and other objects, they allegedly stole 45 tablets, an HP laptop and a camera hard drive worth a combined R82 500.

The security officer was subsequently locked inside a strong room.

At Shinguwa High School in Chavani, three suspects wearing balaclavas allegedly attacked a 20-year-old learner in the early hours of Wednesday.

The learner was sleeping inside a classroom at about 1.30am when he heard screams coming from another classroom.

A few minutes later, the suspects allegedly forced open his classroom door and demanded his cellphone.

One of the suspects, who was armed with a firearm, allegedly struck him on the head before taking his cellphone and fleeing.

Meanwhile, police in the Nebo policing area have arrested a 46-year-old man following an attempted burglary at Leduma Mahuma Primary School in Sekhukhune District.

The suspect was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday after police responded to the attempted burglary. While travelling to the school, officers heard gunshots coming from the direction of Mohlarekoma Village.

They were later joined by security personnel who used a drone to track the suspects after receiving information that they had fled towards the village.

Five suspects wearing balaclavas and gloves were spotted in the streets. They allegedly ran in different directions after noticing the police vehicle.

One suspect fell while running, removed his balaclava and gloves and surrendered to police.

A search reportedly uncovered a small Nokia cellphone in his possession.

Police established that the suspect was a repeat offender who had previously been released on parole after serving sentences for more than 10 cases, including motor vehicle theft, possession of an unlicensed firearm and burglaries committed in Sinoville and Kameeldrift in Gauteng between 1999 and 2002.

He is expected to appear in the Nebo Magistrate's Court on Thursday, facing a charge of attempted business burglary.

Police investigations into all four incidents are continuing, with efforts underway to track down the remaining suspects.

Police have appealed to anyone with information about the Vhembe robberies to contact the investigating officers or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.