Boarding schools break-ins worrisome

Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

The lives and general safety of boarding schools is under threat as they have become the latest targets of robbers.

The robbers are targeting girls’ hostels, a development that has left parents worried that their daughters may be violated if the break-ins continue. This follows a spate of robberies at schools under Zvimba and Chegutu districts in the last few weeks.

The latest school to be robbed is Musengezi High which is in Chegutu District, where an armed thief pounced at around 2am on Tuesday and got away with two laptops.

A female student was left injured after she tried to negotiate for her laptop to be returned.

The attack, like the one on Moleli High School last week, a few kilometres from Musengezi High, was targeted at the A-Level girls’ hostel.

At Moleli, the lone robber stole five laptops after threatening to kill learners with a screwdriver that he had armed himself with.

Musengezi High School head, Mr George Rambanepasi, said they had informed the police of the attack.

“We had an unfortunate incident last night (early Tuesday morning) whereby a thief entered into the A-Level girls hostel around 2am.

“He took two laptops. Police have been informed and investigations will be done soon,” he said in a letter addressed to parents and guardians.

There is suspicion that it could be the same robber that stole five laptops at Moleli, considering that the same method was used.

Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera, yesterday said investigations were underway.

“We are conducting investigations to link the two robberies. Anyone with information should inform the nearest police,” he said.

A call has been made by the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry for schools to beef up security.

Provincial education director, Mr Gabriel Mhuma, said it was worrisome that robbers were now preying on learners.