STAFF REPORTER |
A school in Mpumalanga was gutted by fire on Wednesday, according to the Mpumalanga Department of Education.
“The Mpumalanga Department of Education has learnt that one of the classrooms of Sekemisa Primary School in Verena at Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in Nkangala District caught fire,” the department said.
The fire extinguishers were called to put down the flames.
“Members of the community tried their best to extinguish the fire until the fire extinguishers arrived and helped to put down the flames.”
The police were at the scene and a case of arson will be investigated.
At the moment, the department said the circumstances that caused the fire is still unknown.
More updates will be provided as more information comes to light.
Last week, the community of Luka Village near Rustenburg in North West woke up to shocking news that their school called Ramotse Primary School has burnt down.
The Department’s spokesperson, Elias Malindi said the cause of the fire is still unknown, however, they suspect that it was a criminal activity.
The fire destroyed a computer lab, National School Nutrition Programme storage and a block of toilets for the girls and boys.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown but the school community suspects that it was criminal activities. The fire destroyed a computer lab with 40 computers, photocopiers, printers, Mathematics lab (1 projector, one screen, manipulative cupboard, interactive board and 18 tables), National School Nutrition Programme storage (food for learners) and Learner Teaching Supply Material (Stationery and textbooks) and a block of toilets for the girls and boys,” said Malindi.
The MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela condemned in ‘strongest terms the alleged burning of the school. “I take this moment to condemn in its strongest terms the alleged burning of Ramotse Primary school. Such incidents are clearly targeted at delaying the
provisioning of education to an African child, “she said.
– Inside Education
