Six classrooms were burnt down at Setilo Secondary School in Mareetsane near Mafikeng due to political violence in the area, the North West department of education said on Friday.
Spokesperson Elias Malindi said a mob disrupted a lesson on Thursday, following the uprisings experienced in the area.
“Three classrooms belonging to Grade 12 and three belonging to Grade 11 were burnt down. A large number of chairs, tables, roof and walls were damaged during the process and value of the damages is still unknown,” he said.
North West Education and Sport Development MEC Sello Lehari condemned the act of burning down the school.
“This act of burning schools of our children is highly unacceptable towards the future of our country. On behalf of the department I would like to condemn this violent act in its strongest terms, people are now venting their anger to destroying schools about issues that are far away from education,” Lehari said in a statement.
“I am very much disappointed by the fact that last week there was another school burnt at Piet Plessis and now this is a second incident that has been reported. I would like to encourage our communities whenever they have differences with the authorities to seek a peaceful intervention rather than to destroy public property.”
North West police said a case of arson was opened at the Mooifontein police station and no arrest has been made.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said there was also an attempt to burn down a community hall but, only chairs were burnt.
“A case of arson has been registered in respect of the school. No case is registered yet for attempt to burn the hall. No one has been arrested at this and the situation is calm,” he said.
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