The community of Boikhutso Township near Lichtenburg has woken up to a disappointing incident of a burnt kitchen, storeroom and tuck shop at Gaetsho Secondary School on Wednesday, 17 August 2022.

It is alleged that on Tuesday night on the 16 August 2022, at around 20:00 the principal received a call from a community member that the school was on fire.

Immediately the fire department and the police were called to the scene. The raging fire took about 5 hours to be finally extinguished.

The MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela called for those behind the fire to be arrested.

“As a department, we are extremely disappointed by this horrible incident of a burnt building. This is aimed at derailing our efforts of providing conducive learning environment to the learners in schools.

“I am calling that those behind this barbaric incident to face the full might of the law. We are happy that teaching and learning is continuing without any disturbance”, expressed MEC Matsemela.

MEC Matsemela indicated that fortunately the school has a new kitchen which was completed late last year and school was not using it yet. She said the school will now use it.

Four gas stoves, six big pots, a fridge and some groceries were damaged by the fire.

The School Governing Bodies is expected to meet later today, 17 August 2022 to discuss the way forward. The school in the meantime has borrowed alternative stoves from the local business people

The cause of fire is still unknown and a case of arson has been opened with the local police.

 

For more information please contact:
Elias Malindi
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 072 892 8399