The stolen food was part of the supply provided to the school through the National School Nutrition Program.
Gauteng Education Mat Matome Chiloane on Monday appreciated the South African Police Service (SAPS), who for the arrest of the suspects found with stolen food.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the suspects were caught on Saturday, 12 April 2025 from Minerva Secondary School in Alexandra with school nutritious food.
Both were caught near the school.
“(Suspects) are expected to appear before the Alexandra Magistrate’s court on Monday,” it said.
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Stolen goods
The department said that a 60 -year -old man and a 36 -year -old woman were found with a food supply box next to the school.
“Stolen food included tinked fish, fresh cream milk and wholesale packs of other spoiled accessories,” said this.
In addition, the food stolen was part of the supply provided to the school through the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP).
The department said, “This program provides nutritious food to learners in primary and secondary schools, which aims to improve learning by addressing malnutrition and hunger.”
In addition, Chiloni said, “We are worried about this insensitive crime that takes away from well which we are trying to get through school’s nutritional program and ensure that learners are fed in schools.”
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Delay in delivery of food
The provincial department mentioned that it recently appointed new service providers under the NSNP for the next three years from April 2025, delaying the distribution of food supply to various schools.
The department said, “However, it was cured by Friday, 11 April 2025, and we can confirm that all schools received their stock.”
It apologized for inconvenience to the affected schools.
Finally, Chilone urged the members of the public to report any crime in schools in schools and avoid buying any items stolen from the suspects.
“We condemn such criminal acts and ask communities to protect food supply that are to nourish their children,” Chilon said.