Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane has condemned the burning down of public schools that took place in Bushbuckridge at the beginning of this week.
It is alleged that unknown suspects broke into an administration block in Lamulelane High School in the area. Another school, Bakutsoe High School was torched two weeks ago during a service delivery protest in Madras.
Ngomane has applauded the police for the breakthrough that they have made for arresting the five suspects that are linked to violent service delivery protests in the area.
The suspects are believed to have looted foreign owned shops where they stole groceries. The five were arrested in different places around Madras in possession of the alleged stolen goods. They are Tshepo Maile (28), Mbuso Mashaba (23), Kenneth Monareng (31), Nicholas Nonyane (28) and Sfiso Mona (30).
In this regard the MEC says: “It is deeply disturbing to see the infustructure that takes millions of rand to construct and develop, being destroyed in minutes due to the hardened attitudes of individuals who do not have an interests in the wellbeing of their communities.
Those who have the interests of communities at heart will never destroy property so that they can be heard. They will always find peaceful solutions to the problems of society and they will never resort to such barbaric acts of torching schools and blocking roads.”
The MEC has further called on the community to expose all those who may be responsible for these criminal activities which has caused severe damages in public infustructure. He added that Police will work around the clock in ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book so that they are meant to face their consequences.
“Government will never find a space to accept such irregular and irresponsible behavior conducted by criminals. They will reap what they saw,” the MEC says.
The suspects have appeared at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate Court where they are facing charges of being in possession of stolen property and were granted R4000 bail each. They are cases have been postponed to 20 April 2017.
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Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Mobile: 082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za