This is according to the Premier Job Mokgoro. Earlier schools across the country saw a wave of theft and vandalism, and 71 of those vandalised schools are in the North West. 

At least 69 have already been repaired, according to premier Mokgoro. This, as 102,000 Grade 12 and 7 pupils are expected to head back to schools across the province for the first time since the national lockdown was implemented in March due to the coronavirus (Covid-19).

On Monday a total of 65 000 Grade 7 and 37 000 Grade 12 learners are expected to be back at school. "We have witnessed vandalism of schools across the country since the lockdown was declared at the end of March 2020 and the North West is no exception to this criminality; however, efforts to repair the vandalised schools has been continuing in earnest," he further says. 

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has also been brought in, in an effort to help schools in various ways which can alleviate pressure from the Department of Education. 

The SANDF is said to have offered to assist with the filling of water tanks allocated to schools.

"We call on all our communities not to disrupt schooling and to report any burglary in schools to the relevant authorities," Mokgoro adds.

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