The 234 learners of Gondeni Primary School suddenly found themselves victims of hunger and negligence, after heartless thugs set the administration block of their school on fire, causing damage amounting to about R100 000. All their food for their daily feeding scheme was destroyed.

The unfortunate incident took place on Wednesday last week. Two offices, a large quantity of books, cash for school fees, a school cheque book, two computers, a photocopier, furniture, all school administration documents, electric appliances and paint for the school’s renovation were reduced to ashes as a result of the fire.

School principal Mr Humbulani Mukwevho says it seems a trend of disturbing peace at the schools in Gondeni village has developed. “A day before the arson at our school, thugs broke in and stole money and keys at another school in the same village. We are no longer safe at school.”

Mukwevho said it is not the first time his school is attacked. “Last year, thugs broke in to a classroom and stole 12 computers. The computers have never been recovered and no arrest has been made…”

He explained what happened last week: “I received a call very early on Wednesday morning about the fire at the school. I immediately rushed to the school and found that my office was on fire. Community members arrived later but the fire was so fierce that we did not even try to put it out. We called the Fire Brigade and the police, but it was too late to save the school property.”

Mukwevho says there is an indication that the arsonists gained entry through the office back window, because it was damaged. “I believe they used an iron bar to break the burglar proofing because the window frame is damaged. I can’t understand why they did this because it is the same community that suffers at the end of the day.”

He is not sure if something was stolen before the office was set on fire. “We do not know whether the fire was meant to divert attention if something was stolen. The incident has seriously disturbed our day-to-day running of the school and our learners and teachers are traumatized.”

However, Mukwevho appealed to Good Samaritans who can donate anything to come forward in order to put learning back on track. Insp Ndidzulafhi Nelufule of the Vhembe Police confirmed the incident. He said police have registered an arson case although no one has been arrested so far. “Our investigations are continuing and we appeal to community members with information to contact us.”

The acting senior manager of the Department of Education in Vhembe, Dr Moses Rathando, condemned the incident and added that he would make the findings of the departmental investigations public after receiving a detailed report about the incident.