Elmon Tshikhudo
Twice in the last week, the Mboswobeni Primary School outside Makhado has suffered at the hands of criminals.
On Friday, thieves broke into the school and stole a computer monitor. And on Monday the community woke up to the news that the school was targeted by thugs and was set alight.
The damage caused was estimated at over R400,000.
School SGB member Nkhumeleni Enos Mulaudzi said he received a call early on Monday morning.
“On arrival I was met by fierce flames. The principal’s office, store room and an admin block had already been burnt.
Firefighters arrived, but damage to furniture, machinery and groceries of R400,000 had already been caused.
“We are disappointed. We hope police will speed up their investigations and remove the perpetrators from our midst,” said Mulaudzi.
Headman Mbangiseni Mushavhela who was one of the first to arrive at the school said: “What kind of people are these who burn the future of the community? When people burn schools they are increasing the playing field for criminals.
He said they should start self defence units to guard properties at night.
He said members of the community must remain calm and not to take the law into their own hands as that would make them criminals too.
“The sooner we flush these criminals out of society, the better,” he said.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the two incidents and said cases of arson, malicious damage to property and burglary have been opened.
