14 new school laptops disappear

The Western Cape Education Department is investigating allegations of mismanagement and theft after 14 new laptops were stolen from a school.

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Cape Town - The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is investigating allegations of mismanagement and theft after 14 new laptops were stolen from a school.

Teachers at Kwamfundo High School in Khayelitsha said that 14 new smart laptops, provided by the department on May 4 to enhance pupils’ research abilities, disappeared and there was no sign of a break-in.

The WCED’s spokesperson Jessica Shelver confirmed the officials were informed of the situation and that there was an investigation under way.

“I am afraid that we cannot comment on the likely outcome. Once the investigation has concluded, we will be in a better place to comment,” she said.

Teachers said that when the laptops arrived, they were kept in principal Mongezeleli Bonani’s strong room, a safe with a secure steel door.

According to the teachers, the laptops were moved last month to the deputy principal’s strong room.

They say they found out on September 3, when they were supposed to use them for the first time, that the laptops had been stolen.

“There is no way someone can cut a school key without authorisation. Someone with access opened and took them,” said a teacher.

They said the principal had said he would open a case of burglary.

Bonani did not want to comment. “You rather speak to the department. I am following a protocol.”

michael.nkalane@inl.co.za

@siyaks

Cape Times