The North West Department of Education has commended police after four suspects were arrested in connection with a burglary and arson attack at Tiragalo Secondary School in Kgakala Township, near Leeudoringstad.
Chaos erupted in the township on Friday morning after the fire forced Grade 12 learners to interrupt their historic matric pledge ceremony. A large-scale law enforcement operation led to the swift arrest of the four alleged perpetrators.
The Department said the block gutted by the fire housed a library, a computer storeroom, a textbook storeroom and three classrooms used by Grade 12 learners as an examination centre.
The incident marks the fourth school fire in the North West in just two months. The other affected institutions are Phakisang Primary School in Ottoshoop, near Mahikeng; Matlhare Mokautu Secondary School in Monakato; and Sewagodimo Technical School in Pella Village. The latter two schools are in the Moses Kotane Municipality, outside Rustenburg.
Acting MEC for Education Kenetswe Mosenogi expressed her devastation over the incident.
“I am extremely upset by the burning down of the entire block of classrooms. Grade 12 learners have lost three classrooms that were intended to serve as their examination centre, as well as many other valuable items. This is totally unacceptable. We cannot tolerate the theft and destruction of learners’ property,” said Mosenogi.
The Department confirmed that the fire destroyed the school’s inventory, including 24 computers, a projector, 80 boxes of Typek paper, learners’ stationery and all textbooks ordered for the 2027 academic year.
The blaze also destroyed six new doors, a table tennis table, all the school’s male and female athletics equipment, a microwave, a kettle and packets of toilet paper.
“This incident is a serious setback for the Department, as we are once again forced to rebuild a school that has been destroyed through criminal acts. I want those who are behind this incident to face the full might of the law and receive lengthy sentences. This will serve as a deterrent to others and send a clear message that school property must be protected and that acts of criminality against our schools will not be tolerated,” Mosenogi said.
The Department is working to secure alternative examination centres for Grade 12 learners to ensure their final examinations proceed without disruption on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Meanwhile, the four suspects are scheduled to make their first appearance before the Leeudoringstad Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 12 October 2026. They face charges of burglary and arson.
