IEC tape around a voting station. (File)
North West Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Mpho Motlhabane is determined to get to the bottom of the torching of a school in Kraaipan village and has called for the swift arrest of the perpetrators.
The school is a voting station.
"Destroying public and private property is a crime and our police will not leave any stone unturned. No one is above the law, if a crime has been committed, there must be an investigation and perpetrators must be arrested," Motlhabane said.
The school was set alight over the weekend, allegedly by a group of people boycotting elections because of service delivery grievances.
Unfair on pupils
But Motlhabane said the people were irresponsible and that it was unfair that pupils missed out on teaching and learning.
"If people want to boycott elections, they must not destruct those who want to vote because it is their democratic rights too.
"The election period will only last for three days and will be done. However, learners will lose so much time from their syllabus. And what irritates me more is that people take these terrible actions in the name of service delivery. What does service delivery have to do with the school now?" Motlhabane said.
The South African Police Service is investigating a case of arson and no arrests have been made.
According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokkgwabonethe, the area is calm.
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