It seems as if the evil act of vandalizing school property is not yet out of fashion for certain residents of Madombidzha Zone Two.

This follows the endless damaging of a fence at Tshikwarani Primary School. The latest incident happened shortly after schools re-opened this academic year.

According to the principal, Mrs Mokgadi Shilenge, on January 18 this year, they were shocked to see part of their palisade fencing on the ground. Shilenge said that there was enough evidence that the palisade fence had been destroyed intentionally. "It is as if a tool with zigzag edge was used to cut-down our modern fence. Members of the community should understand that this school is not mine and it is not for the teachers, but it belongs to them," she said.

The principal said that it appeared as if the palisade was destroyed to make an off-ramp to the nearby graveyard. Shilenge further claimed that they were forced to erect palisade fencing after their wire fence was perpetually cut, presumable by means of pliers.

"People of Zone Two should understand that the fence is meant for the security of the school property and their children. In the recent past, on several occasions, learners had fallen prey to armed intruders while at school, but when we try to beef up security measures to ensure that their children are receiving education free from being disrupted by all forms of criminal activities, the very same community is playing a role in exposing us to the thugs," she complained.

Shilenge said that community members should also understand that even the Department of Education advocates a secure learning environment so as to bar intruders from gaining access to the school premises. "We’ve held several meetings with the school governing body to ease this unbecoming behavior, but dark or blue, we will never give up. We believe that, one day, the perpetrators will be brought to book. I am saying all this because I am extremely disappointed by this bad habit," she said.

The total amount used by the school to erect the palisade fence last November is estimated at more than R10 000. Every time the school fence was damaged, nothing was found missing at the school. Shilenge added that they would report the matter to the local police this week.