The Barkly West police have opened an enquiry docket after a fire broke out at Mosalakae Primary School in Mataleng.
THE BARKLY West police have opened an enquiry docket after a fire broke out at Mosalakae Primary School in Mataleng, Barkly West.
The cause of the fire remains a mystery, after three asbestos classrooms were gutted by the blaze that broke out after school hours on August 14.
Learners have remained at home for their own safety this week. It is believed that they will only return to school on Monday, August 21.
Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said the fire gutted three of the 11 mobile classrooms on the school premises that were not in use.
Van der Merwe explained that learners were only prevented from returning to school out of safety concerns because the burnt structures contained asbestos.
“In total, there were 11 of these asbestos classrooms on the school premises, which were not being utilised. The district municipality is doing an assessment for us to determine whether it is safe for learners at the school. So we are waiting on the report from the municipality. Then we will look at relocating or disbanding these mobiles and remove them totally from the premises,” said Van der Merwe.
“The school has opened a case with the police to determine the cause of the fire while we await the report,” he added.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock confirmed the incident.
Kock said the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Barkly West SAPS Detectives on 082 458 9670.
