By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Five suspects have been arrested after a fire destroyed a block of classrooms designated for matric exams at Tiragalo Secondary School in Kgakala Township, near Leeudoringstad, in the North West.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of Friday, 9 October, just four days before the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams are scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
The fire destroyed a block housing a library, computer storeroom, textbook storeroom and three classrooms designated as an examination centre for Grade 12 learners.
This fire follows a series of similar incidents at North West schools this year.
In August, fires damaged Matlhare Mokautu Secondary School in Monakato, where a school hall sustained damage estimated at more than R5 million, and Sewagodimo Technical School in Pella Village, where five workshops were destroyed.
Days later, on 29 August, a mobile classroom was set alight at Phakisang Primary School in Ottoshoop, prompting the education department to consider reviving its Adopt-a-Cop programme to strengthen school security. Earlier, in April, a classroom was destroyed by fire at FM Ramaboa Technical School in Itsoseng, near Lichtenburg.
North West Education spokesperson Mercy Mokgatle told Inside Education that the suspects in the Tiragalo fire were allegedly former pupils who had “dropped out” of the school.
“Their names and identities can’t be revealed until they’ve made their first appearance in court,” Mokgatle said.
Although the education department reported five arrests on Sunday, a South African Police Service (SAPS) statement issued on Saturday confirmed four suspects, aged between 21 and 29, had been arrested.
Police said the arrests followed an investigation into the fire and a burglary discovered in a separate school block that had not been damaged by the blaze.
“Through the activation of the Tactical Response Team (TRT), drone capability, Crime Intelligence, and the Community Policing Forum (CPF), suspects allegedly involved in the burglary were identified,” SAPS said.
“During follow-up operations, some of the stolen school property, including toiletries, was recovered in the possession of the suspects.”
Police said further arrests were expected, including those of individuals suspected of purchasing property stolen during the burglary.
The suspects confirmed were expected to appear before the Leeudoringstad Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of business burglary and arson.
North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams commended the Tactical Response Team, Crime Intelligence and the Community Policing Forum for their swift breakthrough.
“He further thanked the community for its assistance and condemned the criminal acts in the strongest terms, stating that schools are pillars of the community, and acts of burglary and arson undermine the future of our children and will not be tolerated,” SAPS said.
According to the education department, the incident came to light when the school principal received a call from staff members informing her that the school was on fire.
Police and emergency fire services had already been called to the scene.
The department said the destroyed block contained valuable teaching and learning resources, including textbooks ordered for 2027, 24 computers, a projector, a microwave oven, a kettle, six new doors, a table tennis board, athletics equipment, toilet paper, stationery and 80 boxes of Typek paper.
“Grade 12 learners have lost three classrooms that were intended to serve as their examination centre, as well as many other valuable items,” Acting North West MEC for Education Kenetswe Mosenogi said.
“This is totally unacceptable. We cannot tolerate the theft and destruction of learners’ property.”
“I want those who are behind this incident to face the full might of the law and receive lengthy sentences,” she said.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others and send a clear message that school property must be protected and that acts of criminality against our schools will not be tolerated.”
The department said arrangements were underway to secure alternative venues for the affected Grade 12 learners ahead of the exams.
INSIDE EDUCATION
