School boys to serve community after starting Bunny Park fire

The boys responsible for starting a fire at the Bunny Park recently were each given 500 hours of community service.

July 18, 2017

Erik van Dijk 1 minute read

The youngsters, both from Benoni High School, can be seen on video footage from a property opposite the park.

The footage shows them loitering on the corner of Miles Sharp and Malcolm streets on June 29.

Soon after they run away, smoke is seen rising from the dry grass, after which a fire soon becomes visible.

The fire spread into the Bunny Park within 25 minutes but was quelled by the park’s staff, volunteers feeding at the park and the fire brigade.

According to Glen van der Westhuizen, acting principal of Benoni High School, the CPF picked the boys up on the day.

“We saw footage of the boys damaging property and identified them,” he said.

“We informed the police and CPF who caught them soon after.”

He said the police, CPF, school and the boys’ parents agreed that 500 hours of community service would be a just punishment.

They will spend the hours working for animal volunteer groups.

They were also required to repair the damage done to property on the day, as far as possible.

“The boys are also scheduled for a disciplinary hearing as soon as school starts again,” said van der Westhuizen.

“One of them is new in the school and the other has a clean record at the school, this was a mistake they made.”

The boys will also go for counselling at the school.

He commended the SAPS and the CPF for their quick reaction on the day.