TWO more schools were set alight in Ledig near Sun City on Wednesday, bringing to three the number of schools burnt since last week.

Itumeleng Secondary School was the first to be torched on Friday last week and it has emerged that Bakubung and Mpumputhe primary schools were also attacked this week leaving structures and furniture partially destroyed.

Education and sport development MEC, Sello Lehari said burning of schools needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

Lehari said that such actions are barbaric and absurd.

“We want to condemn the destruction of schools in our province. This denies learners the right to education as enriched in the South African constitution. We appeal to parents and all stakeholders to take up the responsibility.

“They need to ensure that our children’s right to education is protected. Schools must be treated as centres for children’s intellectual development,” he said.

Although teaching and learning was not hampered, Lehari expressed this as an act of criminality. He further added that this was set to derail the future of young citizens in the province.

One class room was burnt at Bakubung Primary School. This left the pupils with no furniture.

“Two classrooms were left with no windows and a mobile classroom was completely burnt at Itumeleng Secondary. Mpumputhe Primary School had a cupboard in one classroom burnt down.

“The damage in all three schools is estimated at R400 000. The department will repair them soon. Classes were not affected, however this brings inconvenience.

“We call for harsher sentences to perpetrators. We also urge our communities to inform police about any unscrupulous behaviour from any community members who destroying properties,” Lehari said.

It increasingly appears that unresolved issue of mineral royalties in the Bakubung community could be the reason behind the criminal acts.

At Itumeleng Secondary School, the alleged arsonists left graffiti on the walls calling for the return of community shares in mineral royalties.

The burning of the school came on the eve of the installation of Bakubung ba Ratheo chief, Kgosi Solomon Monnakgotla, a development which was expected to bring stability to the platinum rich community.

On the walls were written: “DJ we want our shares” “Musa we want our assets back”. This was in apparent reference to an administrator who was appointed by the provincial government to manage the issue of shares on behalf of the community.

Council speaker at Moses Kotane local municipality, Ralesole Diale called on residents of Ledig to protect schools and community property.

-TDN

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