16 February 2007
Two mobile libraries of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Education were
stolen at 06h30 at gun point on 16 February 2007, at the Durban Education
Offices at 80 Bartle Road. The two buses formed part of a fleet of 11 mobile
libraries that were donated by the Japanese Together with Asia and Africa
Association. One of the stolen buses is a Toyota bus that was cleared at
customs on 21 January 2007 and the other one was a Mitsubishi that was received
last year. The two buses still need to be branded. Currently the buses are
white with single yellow lines and two blue stripes painted at the bottom of
the bus. They have Japanese writing written on the white painting.
Four suspects allegedly hotwired the buses and followed an employee's car
out of the premises when the security guard opened the gate. He allegedly
thought that they were following the employee.
Reading forms the basis of all learning. The mobile buses are a solution to
schools that do not have libraries. By stealing these buses thousands of
children have been robbed. KZN Education MEC Ina Cronje appeals to all people
to be on the look out for the stolen buses. They can report it at the Umbilo
Police Station to Detective Inspector De Plessis at (031) 203 2405 or phone the
hotline on 0800 204 353.
Enquires:
Christi Naude
Director: Media and Citizen Liaison (Acting)
KwaZulu-Natal Education
Tel: (033)355 2453
Fax: (033)342 0275
Cell: 083 262 8829
E-mail: christin@kznedu.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
16 February 2007
