Masibulele Daycare in Mdantsane was completely gutted by a fire believed to have been started by thieves who broke into the centre on Sunday night.
The daycare in NU1 was made of asbestos and zinc material and catered for close to 80 children aged between one and five years.
Staff at the creche were left with no other choice but to turn the children away yesterday.
According to the owner, Thantaswa Bashman, the incident comes after a series of break-ins, which saw one suspect being arrested.
The suspect, who was arrested earlier this year, will appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court today.
“In the past two years, we have had about seven break-ins where thieves stole the children toys, mattresses and food from the nutrition programme. Now this is the last straw. We are completely shattered by this,” Bashman said.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the scene yesterday, parents, community members and a group of children dressed in their uniforms were sitting outside.
The entire structure was completely burnt down, except for the front door in its door frame, and the kitchen, which is positioned a few metres away.
The education practitioner at the centre, Fundiswa Tutani said she was alerted to the fire at about 10pm on Sunday by a group of children.
“When I got here the fire was inside and still small. I noticed that there was a hole in the wire fence and the window frame was bent open.
“Firefighters were called to the scene and after two trucks, they managed to put out the fire,” said Tutani.
Bashman said they had lost everything including mattresses, toys, tables and chairs and important documents. The community was outraged by the incident.
Parent, Nosicelo Petros, whose two-year-old daughter attended the creche, said she was shocked when she saw it had burnt down.
“I could not believe it. My daughter was also puzzled because she was looking forward to be here. The children love this place,” said Petros.
Another daycare owner, Thobeka Nete, who was among several Mdantsane daycare centre owners who visited Bashman to offer their support, said incidents such as this affected children’s futures.
“We start these centres because of the need to care and educate children from our communities. These centres lay the foundation for our children’s future and now these thugs are destroying that foundation,” said Nete.
The parents offered to pay R20 each towards rebuilding the creche, however, Bashman said a permanent structure built with bricks would be more suitable. Any assistance from members of the public would be appreciated. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Daycare left gutted after burglary Zoom
The daycare in NU1 was made of asbestos and zinc material and catered for close to 80 children aged between one and five years.
Staff at the creche were left with no other choice but to turn the children away yesterday.
According to the owner, Thantaswa Bashman, the incident comes after a series of break-ins, which saw one suspect being arrested.
The suspect, who was arrested earlier this year, will appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court today.
“In the past two years, we have had about seven break-ins where thieves stole the children toys, mattresses and food from the nutrition programme. Now this is the last straw. We are completely shattered by this,” Bashman said.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the scene yesterday, parents, community members and a group of children dressed in their uniforms were sitting outside.
The entire structure was completely burnt down, except for the front door in its door frame, and the kitchen, which is positioned a few metres away.
The education practitioner at the centre, Fundiswa Tutani said she was alerted to the fire at about 10pm on Sunday by a group of children.
“When I got here the fire was inside and still small. I noticed that there was a hole in the wire fence and the window frame was bent open.
“Firefighters were called to the scene and after two trucks, they managed to put out the fire,” said Tutani.
Bashman said they had lost everything including mattresses, toys, tables and chairs and important documents. The community was outraged by the incident.
Parent, Nosicelo Petros, whose two-year-old daughter attended the creche, said she was shocked when she saw it had burnt down.
“I could not believe it. My daughter was also puzzled because she was looking forward to be here. The children love this place,” said Petros.
Another daycare owner, Thobeka Nete, who was among several Mdantsane daycare centre owners who visited Bashman to offer their support, said incidents such as this affected children’s futures.
“We start these centres because of the need to care and educate children from our communities. These centres lay the foundation for our children’s future and now these thugs are destroying that foundation,” said Nete.
The parents offered to pay R20 each towards rebuilding the creche, however, Bashman said a permanent structure built with bricks would be more suitable. Any assistance from members of the public would be appreciated. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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