A fire broke out at Dumeleni Secondary School in Thembisile Hani West Circuit in Mathysensloop on Saturday, March 1.
This is the second school that has caught fire since the year started; Peter Mokaba Primary School in KwaMhlanga, Thembisile Hani Local Municipality burnt on February 8.

According to the Department of Education (DoE), the preliminary reports indicate this incident happened in the early hours of Saturday and that the entire administration block was destroyed by the fire.

The department’s spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, said it instructed officials of the Infrastructure Directorate to assess the damage and provide a comprehensive report detailing the necessary steps to be taken.

ALSO READ: 33 illegal immigrants nabbed for alleged illicit mining in Pilgrim’s Rest

“A case of arson has been filed with the Kwaggafontein Police Station, that will investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident. The department requests anyone with information that could shed light on those who are responsible for torching the school, to contact the police.”

In the meantime, the DoE will work closely with the school’s management team and its governing body to ensure teaching and learning is not affected by this unfortunate event. The department is monitoring the situation.

After the fire at Peter Mokaba Primary School, Sambo said, it had started in the early hours of February 8. “The preliminary report from the school said the fire had destroyed parts of the administration block, including critical items such as furniture, computers, surveillance cameras and some food supplies for the learners. A formal investigation into the cause is under way in collaboration with the relevant institutions.”