The committee visited schools which were vandalised during last month’s unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. 

“The damage in KZN is mostly issues of vandalism.... some people broke into the schools through windows or through the wall. They have mostly taken computers, laminating machines as well as food,” says the committee’s chairperson Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba. 

READ: Motshekga to appeal for narrowing of social distancing at primary schools

Gigaba says that two schools were burnt down during the wave of civil unrest.

“They burnt the admin block and classrooms. However the department managed to get mobile classrooms for the schools.

“Food has been replaced, and with regards to criminality of vandalism, all schools have opened cases but have not recovered the things that were stolen.”

Mbinqo-Gigaba says it is clear that those who looted the schools knew the environment and the community.

“I can tell you that it is people, especially with people that broke down the wall. They went to the exact wall that had computers on the other side. 

READ: KwaMashu school reopens after protest by parents

"So it tells you its people who know the school, who know the communities, people who knew when was the right time to do it.”