School classes set alight
The padlock to the school’s front gate had been cut open and access had been gained to one classroom.
ARSON totally gutted one classroom and seriously damaged two others just hours before the first day school at Siphumelele High School in Mzingazi.
Police were alerted at around 8pm on Tuesday and arrived to find the pre-fabricated classrooms had been set alight by unknown perpetrators.
The padlock to the school’s front gate had been cut open and access had been gained to one classroom.
Police are investigating the possibility that a waste bin filled with paper may have been set alight and accelerant used to boost the flames.
The reason for the arson has not been determined but a number of possibilities are being explored.
One is that the principal of the school is ‘not wanted’ by some members of the community.
Another relates to an issue that arose last year when the temporary high school at Mzingazi Current area was first built.
Prior to that, a number of busses daily transported pupils to and from Elizwi High School in Mandlazini.
This led to speculation of admission preference being given to some pupils.
A third conjecture is that the arson relates to increased school fees.
The Department of Education was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
