SUSPECTS FOUND WITH STOLEN FOOD @KASIBCNEWS

Gauteng Education MEC, Mr Matome Chiloane, wishes to commend police for arresting two suspects who were found with stolen school nutrition food from Minerva Secondary School in Alexandra, Johannesburg on Saturday, 12 April 2025.

According to information at our disposal, the two suspects – a 60-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman – were found next to the school with boxes of food supplies which belonged to the school. The stolen food included bulk packs of tinned fish, fresh cream milk and other perishable goods.

The suspects were arrested and charged with possession of suspected stolen property. They are expected to appear before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 April 2025.

The food that was stolen forms part of supplies that are provided to the school through the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). This programme provides nutritious meals to learners in primary and secondary schools, aiming to improve learning by addressing malnutrition and hunger.

It must be noted that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) recently appointed new service providers under the NSNP for the next three years commencing in April 2025. We must acknowledge that, since their appointment, some service providers had delayed with their deliveries to a few schools. However, this was rectified by Friday, 11 April 2025, and we can confirm that all schools received their stock. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that might have been caused to the affected schools.

“We are concerned by this senseless crime which takes away from the good we are trying to achieve through the School Nutrition Programme and ensuring learners are fed at schools. We vehemently condemn such criminal acts and call upon communities to safeguard the food supplies which are meant to nourish their children. We also urge members of the public to report any crime happening at our schools to the police, and refrain from purchasing any goods stolen from our schools,” said MEC Chiloane.