Textbooks and stationery were dumped for disposal at a site in Seshego, near Polokwane, while many schools were still without these materials, Cope said on Saturday.

Congress of the People MP Tshilidzi Ravhuanzwo said the party was made aware about a week ago that “piles and piles” of books were being dumped.

The books and stationery, some still in their original packaging, were being burnt and shredded.

“So many schools don’t have books, and [even old books] could have been used in libraries,” she said.

Ravhuanzwo said that books from the previous curriculum would still be useful to teachers and pupils because the learning content did not change.

“We really need those old books, I would have like to have stopped them [destroying the books].

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