News24.com | Free State schools open despite theft, arson incidents

Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe.

• There were several burglaries at Free State schools.
• In one case, stationery was burnt when a school hall and administration block were set alight.
• However, schools opened without any hitches on Wednesday.

Free State pupils started the 2023 academic year without any hitches, despite damage and theft at several schools.

Education MEC Tate Makgoe said a school hall and administration block were petrol bombed at Gonyane Primary School last week. Some stationery stored in the buildings was stolen and the rest was torched.

"Five men have been arrested following the incidents and have already appeared in court," Makgoe said.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said the five men were arrested on Saturday in connection with the theft at Gonyane Primary School.

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They were arrested after a tip-off led police to Joe Slovo, he added.

According to Makgoe, there were several burglaries at schools.

He said:

"At Kgauhelo Primary School in Ventersburg, they stole stationery worth R40 000. They broke windows to gain entry," he said.

"At Tataisong Primary School in Thabo Mofutsanyana, they stole a Wi-Fi router and Lenovo laptop and bag, all worth R21 200."

In addition, 342 chairs worth R68 400, wiring of about R7 000 and doors to the tune R2 800 were stolen at Legae Combined School in Bloemfontein.

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Makgoe appealed to communities to help protect schools and warned them against buying stolen goods.

But the situation did not prevent schools from reopening, Makgoe said during a visit to schools in Bloemfontein.

He started his visit at Gonyane Primary School.

"The reports I received from our five districts is that attendance of learners in all our schools is satisfactory, and the majority of our schools registered over 90% attendance," he said.

"The majority of our schools issued out stationery and textbooks."

Makgoe is expected to continue monitoring and oversight visits until the end of January. On Thursday, he will visit EE Monese Comprehensive Secondary School in Senekal.  

On Friday, he will visit Kutloanong Secondary School and Mohobo Primary School in Odendaalsrus, Lejweleputswa district.