[WATCH] Evaton school set alight, arson suspected
Tokelo Secondary School in Evaton, South Gauteng, was engulfed by fire on Thursday, destroying most of the school's infrastructure.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says that he is disappointed by the incident.
While the cause of the blaze has not yet been officially established, initial indicators point to arson.
Tokelo High School caught fire in the early hours of this morning destroying R4 million worth of equipment and infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/1ysDTWaYWT
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) January 2, 2020
The principal at the school said he received information in the early hours of Thursday morning that the school was on fire.
The department's spokesperson Steve Mabona, says Lesufi has said that the Department does not have enough funds to repair the school.
"We wish to reiterate our disappointment in such incidents because they really derail our plans,” says Mabona.
“The reality is that we do not have funds to repair the school. The Department will check what can be salvaged from the burnt school.”
Mabona appealed to the public for information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
"Fire marshals have confirmed that this is pure arson,” he says.
"We are hopeful that teaching and learning will not be hampered when schools open,” Mabona adds.
LISTEN HERE: