Cape Town - Pupils and the surrounding community of Cedar Primary School in Bonteheuwel have been left devastated after a fire destroyed equipment in the school’s administration building on Sunday, which includes the boardroom and the principal’s office.
The spokesman for the city’s Fire and Rescue Services, Theo Layne, said arson was the suspected cause of the fire and the blaze broke out after suspected thieves burgled the school. He said two toilets at the admin block were also on fire and no classrooms were affected.
Bonteheuwel Joint Peace Forum chairwoman Judy Kennedy, who was at the scene, said there had been a number of burglaries at the school in recent weeks.
“The parents and children are outraged by this. The damage is very bad. It is not the first time they broke into the school, but it’s the first time the school has been set alight. It’s really devastating for students and parents.
“According to the school principal, there will be counselling for students tomorrow (on Tuesday). The sad thing is that the majority of the students who go to the school are those who cannot afford to go to better schools.”
She said the fire comes weeks after pupils took to the street and marched against crime at the school.
Provincial education department spokeswoman Jessica Shelver said officials were also at the scene on Sunday to assess the damage. She said a resident gave chase to the burglars and managed to retrieve the stolen goods.
“I can confirm that burglars broke into Cedar Primary School this afternoon and set alight the administration block. Some community members were to give full descriptions of the burglars to the police.
“The admin block has extensive damage. We strongly condemn this act, which does not only come at a cost to the department, but to our children too,” Shelver said.
She said it was concerning that the incident happened during the day, in full view of the community on a Sunday afternoon.
“These vandals have destroyed resources that are there to help and support our educators and pupils.”
School principal Carlin Symonds could not be reached for comment last night.
Police spokesman FC van Wyk confirmed the fire, but said a case of burglary had not been reported.
Cape Times