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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu Plumtree Correspondent
THREE Form Four pupils at Plumtree High School broke into two kiosks in Plumtree’s Central Business District after escaping from the boarding school at night and stole various goods following a drinking spree.

The three boys, who are all below 16, sneaked out of school on Monday night and were caught while stealing from two kiosks.

The Officer Commanding Crime in Pumtree, Superintendent Mzamo Bhebhe said the boys were detained at Plumtree Police Station but were later released after the complainants dropped the charges the following day.

The pupils allegedly stole a laptop and other goods which were not identified.

‘’I can confirm that we received a case of juveniles from Plumtree High School who were involved in a theft case. They were detained at our police station but have since been released as the charges against them have been withdrawn,’’ he said.

An official atfrom Plumtree High School who preferred anonymity said the three boys would face disciplinary action.

He said the boys sneaked out of the school in the middle of the night and went to Dumms Palace Nightclub to drink beer.

The source said the boys later broke into two kiosks which are located close to the school.

‘’The boys took some grocery items from one of the kiosks and ate some of the foodstuffs. They broke into another kiosk where they stole a laptop.

“They were, however, caught in the act by a passerby who spotted them and alerted the police,’’ he said.

Plumtree Combined Residents Association Chairperson, Mr Richard Khumalo, who owns one of the kiosks which were broken into, said it was alarming to learn that pupils had turned into thieves.

He said a laptop was stolen from his kiosk but was recovered in possession of the pupils.

“As a representative of the residents, we expect our children to be monitored when we send them to a boarding school such as Plumtree High School. This incident shows that security is lax at the school as there have been several reports of pupils sneaking out of the school to drink in local bars.

“As business people we are also worried because it means our properties are not safe because of these pupils,” Mr Khumalo said.

Mangwe District Education Officer, Mr Headman Mpofu, said he had not yet received a report on the incident.

A Mangwe District Aids Council meeting that was held recently revealed that pupils from the school were sneaking out to Dumms Palace Nightclub where they engaged the services of sex workers.

About 16 pupils from the school were suspended last year after they were caught taking drugs – @DubeMatutu.