Parents from Mgomanzi Senior Secondary School in Butterworth are worried about the future of their children, after their school was burnt down, last week.
The treasurer of the school governing body (SGB), Thuliswa Bukwana, said she had received a call around 01:00 in the morning from her neighbour, informing her that the school was on fire. She said she then called other parents, including the school management team.
“When we went to the school we found an empty gas cylinder. We think it is the one that was used to start the fire. This is the fifth time our school has been burnt down and no one has been arrested,” said Bukwana.
She added that since the school does not have even one classroom block now, they would ask for space for Grade 12 learners at Upper Mgomanzi Primary School.
Bukwana added that they would also speak to the nearby church to accommodate other learners.
Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima, confirmed that even though the school had burnt down, the interviews for the vacant principal’s post, that were scheduled for last week had continued.
He also confirmed that this was the fifth time that the school had been gutted. He said the first time was in 2013, when the administration block was destroyed.
“Two attempts were made to torch the resource centre but the fire could not destroy the building in 2021. In August 2015, classrooms were completely destroyed in a fire,” said Mtima. He added that the school had 253 learners from Grades 8 to 12. He said there were meetings that were held with the related stakeholders to ensure that the classes resume again.
Police spokesperson, Captain Siphokazi Mawisa, confirmed that a case of arson relating to the incident had been opened at the Butterworth SAPS.
“Police were alerted by the community members and on arrival they discovered that four classes and a science lab had burnt down,” said Mawisa.
She added that police recovered a gas cylinder believed to be used to start the fire. The cylinder did not belong to the school.
“The cylinder was confiscated by police and investigation would continue. No arrest has been made yet.”
