The community of Masakona outside Louis Trichardt, which withdrew their children from local schools two weeks ago, saying they were not safe (see a report elsewhere in the paper), had a rude awakening on Saturday.

They found four mobile classes at Rasikhuthuma Primary School completely gutted as well as the contents of four other classrooms also burnt in what is suspected to be arson. The schools in question are still subject to a dispute between the community and the Department of Education.

The department is said to have made an undertaking that they would start building new classes at the schools at the beginning of this year and this has not happened so far. SGB chairperson Mr Nndavheleseni Ramashau said he received a call about the fire late on Friday evening while at neighbouring Sereni village. "I could not go there the same night but went there the following day to find everything in a mess."

He said that four mobile classes were burnt to ashes while three other fixed classrooms had their contents that included books and photocopier gutted.

"As the leadership we condemn this in the strongest terms. Schools are our own property and we should guard jealously against any form of vandalism and burning. At the same time, we are blaming the Department of Education for reneging on their promises. They are making people angry but we hope the law will take its course," he said.

Ramashau said the community had taken a stand and were now guarding the schools themselves, so that no further damage could take place.

Limpopo education department spokesperson Dr Naledzani Rasila condemned the burning, saying it was a criminal act. "We have very limited resources and burning others adds to the load we already have," he said

Limpopo police spokesperson Col Ronel Otto confirmed the incident, saying they were investigating arson and public violence. "No one has been arrested so far," she said.