Limpopo cops vow to ‘arrest perpetrators’ of school fire attacks

05 May 2016 - 13:55 By Zoe Mahopo

Limpopo police now say that up to 22 schools have been affected by violence in Vuwani and surrounding areas.Provincial police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the targeting of schools seems to have spread to areas outside Vuwani as residents continue a bitter protest over demarcation issues.13 Limpopo schools razed in violent demarcation protestsMalesela said that not all of the schools had been completely burned down and in some situations only a few classrooms were damaged.A delegation consisting of Cooperative Governance Minister Des van Rooyen and four MECs‚ including education’s Ishmael Kgetjepe‚ arrived in Thohoyandou to meet with community leaders in an effort to quell the violence.Traditional healers‚ religious leaders as well as representatives from the South African Police Services will also be part of a series of meetings which are expected to continue for a few days.Residents in Vuwani and surrounding villages have been protesting against a decision by the Municipal Demarcation Board to include them in the new Malamulele municipality‚ while they want to remain under the Makhado municipality.A total of 13 schools had been torched by Wednesday‚ while the the national Department of Basic Education has estimated that rebuilding schools could cost over R400-million.Ledwaba said police were monitoring the situation but they needed corporation from the community.He said they were still gathering facts on the schools that were attacked after the initial 13."We will definitely make sure that the perpetrators are arrested‚" Ledwaba said.Meanwhile‚ part of the Vuwani CBD was closed off with barbed wire. Businesses and schools remained shut...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.