The South African Police Service Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba has intervened through the deployment of additional Public Order Police members in the Zaaiplaas area outside Groblersdal to normalize the situation.
This intervention follows the torching of another school administration block at Leriane Secondary School in Holneck village last night, 25 May 2018 at about 22:30.
The Police and the Fire Department were notified after a passer-by noticed a flame of fire on top of the administration block of this school and reacted swiftly.
This incident follows two separated incidents which happened earlier when a police van was torched and a police officer injured and the torching of an administration block at Rehlahlilwe Primary School in Keerom in the Zaaiplaas area.
It is alleged that a group of community members went on rampage and torched this building before running away.
Since these violent protests started in the area, five (5) suspects aged between 28 and 50 were arrested for public violence. The police are currently on the hunt for more suspects who also include ringleaders.
The whole impulse erupted after a group of community members from Zaaiplaas, started to be violent following their protest actions which started a week ago by barricading the R579 road.
Cases of malicious damage to property, assault and two counts of arson were opened and investigations are continuing.
Reiterating his warning to all the community members in the Zaaiplaas area, the Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba has made it clear that the suspects involved in this spate of violent activity which is characterized by the destruction of property, will be hunted down and brought to book. The General called on communities intending to protest, to do so within the boundaries of the law.
Destroying schools is detrimental to the future of our children and it cannot be allowed. Perpetrators of these barbaric acts will meet the full might of the Law, concluded General Ledwaba.
Anyone with information which can lead to the arrest of the suspects involved on all these incidents, may contact Captain Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.