Limpopo Premier, Phophi Ramathuba, accompanied by Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya on Tuesday visited the Gidela Secondary School in Blinkwater, Mopani District, which lost its property during a break-in.
IOL reported on Monday that four schools in the area lost their property during burglary incidents, and the Gidela Secondary School was also torched during the crime.
On Tuesday, Limpopo education spokesperson, Matome Taueatsoala told IOL that the senior provincial government officials were at the school to address the recent vandalism which resulted in the destruction of the administration office.
Several “valuable” items, including photocopying machines, printers, and sports kits were destroyed in the inferno.
“Gidela Secondary School is one of four schools in the area that has suffered from such destructive acts,” said Taueatsoala.
Fortunately, the Limpopo education department told IOL that all the schools which suffered the recent break-ins have managed to open their doors for resumption of learning on Tuesday.
“We can confirm that Gidela Secondary School, together with three other schools which were vandalized are open today. Learning and teaching is continuing. The Premier, Dr Ramathuba and the MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya visited the three schools.
“We can confirm that the one that is hit hard is Gidela Secondary School where the admin block was burnt and some important assets in the block were burnt to ashes including office stationery,” he said.
Staff at the school, according to Taueatsoala, will now temporarily operate from the school’s library.
On Monday, IOL reported that provincial commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has condemned the spate of burglaries and malicious damage to property targeting several schools in the province.
The other incidents took place at Ximausa Mpembelani School, Ha-Aka Primary School, and Nobelhoek Primary School, where police said laptops and tables were stolen.
Limpopo police appealed to members of the community to report the perpetrators.
“Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects involved should contact the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Ramathlodi Satekge on 082 319 9686 , Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, nearest police station or use the My SAPS App,” said Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
IOL