The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in Mpumalanga has condemned the torching of two schools in Siyabuswa, where it held a by-election earlier this week. Three classrooms were burnt at Thabana Senior Phase School and a library at Siyathokoza Secondary School.
A group of people, who were not happy with the by-election results, are blamed for torching the schools. IEC provincial manager, Steve Ngwenya, says the only problem around the by-election they’re aware of, was a letter from an independent candidate complaining that some voters did not have addresses.
Together with MEC of Mpumalanga Education today I visited the two schools that were set alight on Friday night. Thabani Village in Siyabuswa is a troubled place right now because of bi-Elections results. pic.twitter.com/S68nQpMvsM
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) June 10, 2018
Siyathokoza Secodary School in Mpumalanga was set alight yesterday. A disgruntled group of people unhappy about bi-election results turned on the school to vent their anger. I am speechless! pic.twitter.com/8uf3ee5mXs
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) June 9, 2018
The admin block at Siyathokoza Secondary was still burning. The books, school records, all destroyed. @Mpueducation MEC was present tomsee for himself. pic.twitter.com/tN8SNyPIbU
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) June 10, 2018