Hluvukani arson: no arrests yet
The children in the area, located in the Bohlabelo district have been denied access to schools because of protests over service delivery.
There is still no confirmation that any of the suspects who had set six classrooms at Hluvukani Primary School in Agincourt ablaze, had been arrested.
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According to the Department of Education (DoE), the school was set on fire in the early hours of Monday May 9, and a case was opened with the police.
Four mobile and two brick-and-mortar classrooms with furniture and learning and leaching support materials were destroyed by this fire.
The newspaper contacted the police to follow up on the matter on Monday May 23, yet did not receive any feedback.
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The DoE’s spokesperson, Jasper Zwane, said he could not confirm any arrests and said only the police can.
He said the DoE would like to urge the public to assist the police to help them find the suspects. “We are disappointed, because we knew the school is in need of classrooms and we provided mobile classrooms as an interim solution. These mobile classrooms are expensive. The challenge now is the learners have to suffer due to this incident.”
The MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, said owing to the scarce financial resources at the disposal of the department and the huge backlog of infrastructural projects in the province, it would be very difficult to replace the destroyed classrooms while a permanent solution to the matter
is sought.
“The monetary costs of the extent of the damage have not been quantified yet. This is a case of great worry and concern for the department, as teaching and learning at the school have been disrupted for weeks due to protest about the infrastructural challenges. The department resolved to deliver mobile classrooms as a temporary measure to bridge the infrastructural gap so that teaching and learning could continue. Vandalism of school property is a growing concern for the department. We are of the view that such acts of criminality are counterproductive and hinder progress towards the development of our learners, as it robs them of their right to access education, which they so rightfully deserve.
“Our communities cannot continue to be held ransom by criminals. We are making an appeal to any person who might have information that may lead to the arrest of these arsonists, to come forward and report this matter to the police.”
Majuba said the department is appealing to all school communities to have a sense of ownership of their schools and to protect their buildings and any property, as they are meant to meet their educational needs and development.
“The destruction of school property has a detrimental effect as it endangers the future of our children and communities. We appeal to all communities to cooperate with it and law enforcement agencies to put a stop to these barbaric acts.”
