OTTOSHOOP, North West — The North West Department of Education has issued a strong condemnation following a deliberate arson attack at Phakisang Primary School in Ottoshoop, near Mahikeng. Over the weekend, unknown suspects targeted the educational facility, partially torching mobile classrooms and prompting an urgent criminal investigation into what officials describe as a malicious and escalating trend.
The fire, which broke out inside a locked temporary classroom, resulted in significant damage to textbooks and sections of the flooring. Emergency responders, including the local fire department, arrived swiftly to extinguish the blaze. Consequently, the affected classroom has been abandoned for safety reasons, and displaced learners have been temporarily relocated to an alternative learning space to ensure their education continues uninterrupted.
Investigators quickly identified clear signs of premeditation at the scene. Beyond the initial fire, authorities discovered a second mobile classroom on the property where suspects had placed a burning tire and plastic hose pipes underneath the structure. This evidence strongly indicates a coordinated and intentional effort to destroy school property.
A spokesperson for the School Governing Body revealed that this arson incident is part of a broader pattern of criminal activity targeting the institution. The school has already opened multiple dockets with the Ottoshoop (OTSW) police station regarding previous break-ins, theft, and vandalism. The spokesperson urgently appealed to law enforcement for concrete feedback and actionable strategies to halt the ongoing crime wave affecting the school community.
Addressing the broader provincial context, a spokesperson for the Department of Education acknowledged that sporadic school torchings have become a serious cause for concern, noting that the incidents are beginning to resemble a disturbing trend.
Despite these challenges, the department reaffirmed its trust in the police. Officials expressed confidence that the ongoing investigations will successfully identify the perpetrators, ensuring those responsible for this destructive act are brought to book seriously. A formal criminal case is currently open as probes into this and other recent school fires remain active across the province.
