The tricksters prey on newly enrolled grades zero and one, by waylaying them on their way from school and deprive them off their school uniforms, shoes and satchels before giving them sweets and freezits (popular plastic drinks which cost $1 for twenty packets).
Furious parents of mugged children told ZimEye.com narrated their ordeal since money in the current economy is hard to come by to buy another uniform. “This is the same as killing because, if one can ambush children and steal school wear, killing can also be easy for such people,” said a visibly angry Mrs Thobekile Sibanda.
Her sentiments concurred with those of another parent Mrs Josina Gwati, whose daughter came home wearing a long dirty t/shirt, while licking a lollypop. “I am thinking of seeking the guidance of a witch doctor to recover my stolen school wear,” she said in a dejected mood.
According to Aaron Ncube, a grade one student from Lotshe primary school, whose uniform, shoes and satchel were stolen, the muggers would give them sweets and biscuits before stripping them of their school wear.
“They gave us very nice sweets and I gave them my shoes and uniform because they told me that mama asked them to go and wash them for tomorrow,” he said before asking for sweets.
Another 6 year old Thandeka Khumalo from Nkulumane’s Queen Elizabeth primary school was also robbed by the same terror group, who took her shoes, satchel and dress before giving her freezits and sweets. “Malume gave me freezits and sweets and told me to come and collect my uniform tomorrow from our teacher,” she said.
Several Bulawayo parents’ kids have been robbed school wear by tricksters, who waylay unsuspecting infants by luring them with sweets and toys.
Mrs Faustina Ngwenya of Pumula South had to buy a double uniform, after her twin boys were all robbed their school wear on their way from school yesterday.
Parents have since called for a meeting with school heads on the issue, but the outcome was still a task for parents, who were asked to accompany their kids to and from school, as the teachers have resolved not to release children before a parent or guardian is available.
“We have found it best to ask parents and guardians to accompany their kids to and from school, as more than 90% of grade zero and one have lost their new school wear to these unscrupulous thugs who resell their loot to the same parents on the flea markets,” said Mrs Moyo a school head at Pelandaba’s primary school.
Police have also been put on alert following the outcry from parents. Pumula’s neighbourhood Police watch is now on full alert and on patrol during the school going peak hour and also after children’s knock off time.
Asked to comment on the issue, the Bulawayo Police press and liaison office could neither confirm nor deny the crime, but opted to warn parents against sending their infants to school unaccompanied by elders. Bulawayo’s police spokesperson Inspector Madlenkosi Moyo could not be reached for
