Armed gang handcuffs officer and brutally assault him in robbery

On the evening of Monday the 17th of January 2021, six suspects descended on the premises of Lourierpark Primary School in Bloemfontein and did the unimaginable.

In a media statement which was published by the police department yesterday, the perpetrators walked on to the school premises at about 20:50. There were two security officers who were at the school at that time and one of them was conducting a routine patrol when the suspects stole the keys and fled from the scene.

One of the officers who was in the guard room is said to have heard the alarm go off. He decided to go and investigate on what had happened that was when he met the suspects who attacked him. They were armed with knives with hats and masks which were covering their faces.

It is alleged that the suspects handcuffed the officer before they went on to brutally assault him. A set of keys which he had on him was forcibly taken and they went on to break the security door of the administration block to gain access.

When the second guard who had gone on a patrol noticed that the school premises had been invaded, he fired warning shots into the sky which scared off the suspects and they all ran away. He saw that his colleague had been brutally attacked and he contacted emergency service providers. The police as well as paramedics came to the scene.

During the investigations, the police established that the keys to the premises had been taken during the robbery. The guard was treated on the scene by paramedics and he was later on admitted to a hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition. Many across the nation when they heard what had befell the security guard started sending him some get well soon messages.

A case of business robbery has been opened for investigation by the Parkweg police and no arrests have been made to date. Lieutenant General Motswenyane who is the Provincial Commissioner of the Free State in the media statement is said to be pleading for assistance from members of the public on the whereabouts of the suspects.

Those who may have information on the incident can call 082 466 7255 and avail the information to Constable Marou Koloswa. Alternatively, information can be sent anonymously through the My Saps application or calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Guarding of schools is everyone’s responsibility as this is where the future leaders of this country are brewed. Community members who reside near schools are being urged to assist the guards in looking after schools by providing alerts on any suspicious persons or actions which may happen around the schools.

Since the commencement of the coronavirus induced lockdown, there has been an increase in robberies and vandalism at schools. If this habit is left unchecked, our schooling infrastructure will soon be dilapidated.

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