The raging fire that destroyed the Soshanguve High School in the early hours of today was extinguished after a few hours. This was after a community member alerted the principal his school was on fire. He rushed to the school and on arrival firefighters and police were on the scene.
“Indeed, fire fighters managed to extinguish the fire after few hours. However, the Administration Block was burnt down, literally the roof caved in and everything burnt to ashes. All valuable equipment and furniture was lost in the fire. The value of the loss is still to be determined” Said the principal.
The fire department has launched an investigation to determine the cause of fire. Police are investigating circumstances surrounding this incident as well.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lusufi was concerned since this was a fourth school to be burnt in Soshanguve during the 21-day Lockdown period. The department has confirmed that 22 schools were vandalized in Gauteng since the lockdown period.
“We really don’t know what is happening in Soshanguve, this is to register our plea with the Security Cluster to protect our schools. We are dismayed to report about yet another school destroyed by fire, worse within few days in the same area,”
“This is worrisome, it looks like same modus operandi is used, we are tempted to believe that there is a syndicate operating in the area, the sooner these cowards are arrested the better,” Said MEC Lesufi.
MEC Lesufi will visit all torched schools in Soshanguve later today.
