Limpopo education office stoned, vandalised

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File photo

Published Jan 22, 2016

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Polokwane – Hundreds of angry pupils and their parents attacked a Limpopo circuit office on Friday, demanding the education department rebuild their school which was damaged by a storm four years ago.

“We have marched to the circuit [office] to submit our demands again,” said Mphengwe Secondary School governing body secretary Joe Molapo. “We don’t have the school since it was blown away by the storm [but] nothing has happened.”

In September 2011, the school’s roof was blown off by a storm. Molapo said that the dilapidated building made evident government’s lack of concern for children’s safety.

“Government does not care,” said Molapo.

He added that if government did not fix the building, there would be no schooling. Additionally, their protesting would not end until such time as government had acceded to their demands.

Claiming frustration at government’s inaction, pupils and parents threw stones, broke down the gate, and smashed windows at the local circuit office, forcing employees to flee. No one was injured during the violence.

Limpopo education department spokesman, Naledzani Rasila, confirmed that the circuit office was vandalised and said it was unfortunate that state property had been targeted in the protest.

Rasila said the department was in discussions with parents regarding the school and thus condemned the action taken.

According to him, the storm-damaged block is scheduled to be demolished this year.

“We already have the plan to demolish [the] storm-damaged block this year and start with building next year,” said Rasila.

He said the department was surprised that the pupils and parents had resorted to vandalising state property.

“It’s disappointing because it takes us back and it does not benefit anyone,” said Rasila.

African News Agency

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