The 1.° de Maio Industrial and Commercial Institute in Quelimane, in the province of Zambézia, central Mozambique, has been targeted by criminals who vandalize the facilities to steal equipment used to train students, which is then sold to scrap metal export companies..

A publication by Sunday newspaperThe director of the institute, Otília Chembeze, says that the thieves are looking for copper material, among other types of metal, and that there are still no clues as to the perpetrators.

According to Otília Chembeze, "the criminals enter the grounds of the institution from the rear, where there is no fence, and what separates the institute from the residences is a thicket."

"In order to gain access to the places where the equipment was installed, the bandits broke down the doors of the classrooms and, in some cases, destroyed the roof of the buildings," she said. The source also said that many cases of destruction were recorded at night and the sectors most affected were the mechanics and locksmiths workshops, where equipment used for practical classes was installed.

"The situation is difficult because there is no solution in sight and the damage is enormous, including the removal of electrical cables in some compartments," says the institution's management, adding that the criminals are also targeting computers, printers and other goods.

According to the same publication, there are also broken toilets and glass, dismantled bathroom taps, destroyed lathe tables and milling machines for making parts, among other damages.

(Photo DR)