By Lebone Rodah Mosima
A fire has caused extensive damage to offices, equipment and administrative records at Kgamanyane Secondary School in Moruleng Village, North West.
North West Department of Education spokesperson Vuyo Mantshule told Inside Education police were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, including if arson was involved.
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A member of the School Governing Body, who lives near the premises, noticed the fire in the early hours of Sunday morning and alerted the school principal. The principal contacted the fire department and police.
The department said that by the time fire services arrived, the blaze had already destroyed a significant portion of the administrative block, including the staff room, food storage area, staff kitchen, ablution facilities for males and females, administration offices, the sick bay and the strong room.
Provincial education MEC Viola Motsumi said the fire was a serious setback for the school community.
“These acts are efforts that undermine education infrastructure in the province and cannot be tolerated,” Motsumi said.
“I want to assure the school management, learners, parents, and the broader community that the department will provide the necessary support to ensure that teaching and learning continue without disruption.”
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Motsumi called on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and urged community members to come forward with any information that may help identify those responsible.
An assessment by the department’s infrastructure unit will determine the full extent of the damage.
