Probe into school arson attack
2006-01-30 11:48
Siyabuswa - Mpumalanga's education department is investigating the torching of one of its high schools.
The home economics centre and administration block at KwaManala high school in Vaalbank, near Siyabuswa, were set alight at about 03:00 on Thursday last week, causing damage worth R460 000.
Provincial education spokesman Jasper Zwane condemned the incident and said an internal investigation was being held.
Police are also investigating and have opened an arson docket.
"Suspects were seen entering the school and it's believed they used petrol to start the fire," said Highveld area police spokesperson Captain Klaas Maloka.
The loss includes 12 computers, textbooks, two TV sets, a video recorder, a photocopier and three coal stoves.
Meanwhile, the department has to do repairs to 40 school damaged during recent storms across the province.
Some schools have been given tents and mobile classrooms in the mean time.
Zwane said repairs should begin this week.