The Free State Department of Education is yet to quantify the fire damage to a classroom at the Mphatlalatsane Combined School in Qwaqwa close to two months after the school was apparently torched.
Learners returned on Tuesday (19/07) to start the third school term, despite the effects of the fire on 4 June lingering.
The police have opened a case of arson for investigation and are trying to piece together all of the details and bits of information in order to establish the mysterious fire’s exact cause. WO Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the police, said it was established that one classroom had been affected – not four, as was previously reported. He said no arrest had been made yet.
According to the provincial Department of Education, at the time the fire erupted there was apparently no power supply in the area where the school is situated.
The incident has reportedly affected more than 1 000 learners and resulted in unnecessary overcrowding in classrooms. The torched classroom accommodates Gr. 7 learners.
