Boy (16) among those arrested for torching of schools near Vuwani

LIMPOPO – 23 people, including a 16-year-old boy, have been arrested for the alleged involvement in the torching of schools and other buildings in Nthabalala village in the Tshitale area near Vuwani, says the police.

They were arrested during police operations around Muila and Nthabalala villages in Tshitale on Monday morning.

A local primarily school, Water Affairs offices and the Post Office and four police vehicles were among those which were damaged, according to Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

“According to the information, the protesters were demanding the construction of a tar road in their area,” added Mojapelo.

In a statement issued by the Provincial Government, spokesperson Phuti Seloba says they have condemned the violent protests in the areas of Tshitale and Nthabalala.

“The torching of schools and government offices cannot be justified as a protest but they are just criminal activities. We do not have unlimited resources to repair such damaged infrastructure, and even if we had we will not priorities infrastructure that was deliberately destroyed by people in the name of peaceful protest. These tendencies are reducing our efforts to meaningless activities hence will not be tolerated,” he said.

“Schools which have been torched or damaged during these protests will remain the responsibilities of the communities and  those who continue to destroy schools will be held liable for refurbishing and rebuilding of such infrastructure.”

Meanwhile in Mphephu, 19 people were arrested for public violence after protests broke out in the Tshikuwi area that led to the temporary closure of the R523 road linking Weliespoot and Mphephu from the N1 north of Makhado yesterday (Tuesday), Mojapelo added.

All arrested suspects will appear before the Mphephu and Sekgosese Magistrate’s Courts respectively, on charges of Arson, Malicious Damage To Property and Public Violence.

Police investigations continue, he concluded.