Four suspects were swiftly arrested last night in connection with the recent arson and vandalism at Mpolweni Secondary School in the uMgungundlovu District of KZN.

The Witness reports that parents of pupils at Mpolweni Secondary School in the uMshwathi Municipality are calling on the Department of Education to reinstate night security guards following a fire that gutted four Grade 11 classrooms and damaged the administration offices in the early hours of yesterday.

They said the latest incident underscores the growing need for stronger security at schools as criminal activity continues to escalate.

Matric exams continue

Despite the damage, the school hall was unaffected, and matric pupils continued with their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations as scheduled.

School governing body chairperson Sphakamiso Majola said parents were shocked and confused by the attack.

“We don’t see any reason for the school to be set alight. There are no fights within the school or the community. All is well. The offices being vandalised makes us suspect criminals who came to steal,” said Majola.

He added that the discontinuation of night-shift guards had left schools vulnerable.

“That has led to an increase in criminal activity at schools at night. Another issue is that the school is not properly fenced. There were cameras, but these criminals removed them,” he said.

Majola said electrical cables had recently been stolen from Grade 10 and 11 classrooms.

“We asked an electrician to check why the classrooms had no lights. He discovered that all the cables had been removed. Now another block, in the middle, caught fire. We don’t know if criminals came to steal cables in this block but failed, as the wires were live and caught fire,” he added.

Ward councillor Hlengiwe Ngubane said they suspect the culprits intended to disrupt the NSC examinations.

MEC condemns ‘attack on education’

KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka condemned the incident, calling it a disgraceful assault on pupils’ futures.

He described it as a deliberate and cowardly attack on education, particularly at a time when matric pupils are writing their exams.

“This is a disgraceful and deliberate attack on the education of our children,” said Hlomuka.

“For anyone to burn and vandalise a school during NSC exams shows a shocking level of criminality and disregard for our pupils’ future. This is an act of sabotage that robs pupils of limited resources and strains the department’s already stretched budget. We will not allow thugs to hold our education system hostage.”

Hlomuka said law enforcement agencies had been directed to prioritise the investigation and warned that the perpetrators would face harsh consequences, including criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

More security measures planned

The department would also intensify school security and strengthen collaboration with the police and community policing forums.

“Communities must stop shielding criminals. If you know who did this and keep quiet, you are equally responsible for destroying the future of our children,” he added.

uMgungundlovu Mayor Mzi Zuma expressed shock, vowing vigorous action against those responsible.

“I utterly condemn such barbaric behaviour and firmly believe that our justice system will bring the perpetrators to book,” said Zuma, assuring school management teams, pupils and stakeholders that education remains a top priority and that every measure is being taken to restore stability.

uMgungundlovu SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala confirmed that an arson and business burglary case has been opened for investigation.

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