Mafikeng - Nineteen North West schools were closed indefinitely on Tuesday after three classrooms, a staff room and store room at Sebitlwane High School were set alight by Tlakgameng residents during a service delivery protest, the provincial education department said.
"MEC Johannes Tselapedi had to take the decision to close the schools to ensure that pupils and teachers in the area are safe," spokesperson Charles Raseala told Sapa in a telephonic interview.
Police said a vehicle was also burnt out early on Tuesday morning.
"The MEC has indicated that the department cannot put the lives of teachers and pupils in danger.
"It is clear that the community there does not want the schools to reopen. They will remain closed until it is safe for teaching and learning to take place."
Previous riots
Raseala said locals embarked on the service delivery protests in May, just before schools closed for the June holidays, to demand a 22km tarred road between Tlakgameng and Ganyesa.
Four schools were set alight in the village, about 75km outside of Vryburg. Schools in the area were closed for eight days due to the riots.
"They say the transport department had promised to build the road some time ago, and that the promise had not been fulfilled," said Raseala.
"Now they feel they are justified to burn down any government property to get their demand met."
"These people target staff rooms, science laboratories, libraries and computer laboratories, which have the most expensive equipment in the schools."
The closure affected 9 092 pupils.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions in the province condemned the destruction of community property.
Matric exams
"We agree with the education department that this anti-revolutionary programme of burning and damaging community and government properties is politically motivated," Cosatu provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said.
"We are asking why investigators are taking so long to arrest perpetrators of such crimes".
He however appealed against the closure of all schools the area.
"Most of the schools that are now closed are not affected by the fires. Cosatu is therefore asking the MEC to allow (pupils) who are prepared to learn to continue with their classes."
The future of pupils, especially those about to write their Grade 12 final examinations, was being jeopardised, he said.
Police said it was quiet in the area on Tuesday afternoon and they were monitoring the situation.
- SAPA
