When Monica Mabuya stepped into the staff room of Zimele preschool last Tuesday morning, it was filled with debris – and her heart was filled with pain.
It was the third time the creche had been broken into in the past month. It is believed that the damage to the staff room and classrooms had been done by a group of land grabbers who want to build shacks on a nearby piece of land.
The burglars made off with sheets of corrugated iron, burglar bars, doors, tables and chairs.
Ms Mabuya, the owner of the creche, and her staff were preparing to reopen the creche and they had implemented all the required safety protocols when the school was vandalised.
“It was a big shock to see this,” she told Vukani.
“We are really unfortunate because this means we will have to start from scratch to do things correctly. But it is going to be difficult for us.
“Where are we going to find money to buy doors, burglar bars, windows, replace refrigerators and get chairs and other items? We will have to appeal to people to donate things to us. In fact if anyone has something they can send it to us,” she said.
The creche is situated next to Desmond Tutu Community Hall that was recently torched by protesting Khayelitsha residents.
The hall had been identified as a new facility for Covid-19 patients.
The pre-school, constructed from corrugated iron and plastic materials, is registered with the departments of Education and Social Development. It accommodates 120 children across two Grade R classes and pre-grade classes.
Harare Police have confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property was being investigated but no arresteds were made yet.
Call Ms Mabuya on 079 642 3158 if you can help.