ARMED ROBBERY LEAVES CHILDREN AND TEACHERS TRAUMATIZED

Teachers and young children at Sithemebele Educare in Philippi were left traumatized after robbery at gunpoint during the early hours of Mandela Day, Monday 18 July. Armed men broke through the entrance of the Educare facility, locked one teacher in the shower and held the second teacher reporting for duty as well as parent and their child at gunpoint. Robbers fled the scene with appliances and valuables stolen during the raid. The victims reported the armed robbery at the Philippi Police station.

The incident occurred just weeks after Youth Month and Child Protection Week.

Emergency protocols to support the victims have been initiated by South African Education Project (SAEP) staff at Beautiful Gate in Philippi. A Social Worker employed by the organisation have been deployed to support, debrief, and refer victims for further trauma counselling were needed.

SAEP is making an public appeal for support to assist with the upgrade of security at the Educare Centers to ensure the safety of children in their learning environment as well as aid in support of the appliances used to feed children during the day.

The area is characterised by high crime and violence. SAEP also lost two vehicles in the past year due to hijacking.

This is a developing story and further details will follow on Thursday 22 July 2022 once our Social Workers have fully debriefed and ensured the emotional well-being of those affected.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Mr Shane Everts, Head of Communications and Fundraising, South African Education Project (SAEP) 082 537 8721, shane@saep.org

Technical Education-related queries:

Mr Donavan Fullard, Chief Executive Officer, South African Education Project (SAEP) donavan@saep.org

MORE ABOUT SAEP

A multi-cohort program promoting access and better education outcomes among children and young adolescents. www.saep.org