Police arrested them in connection with a school burglary and arson incident in Leeudoringstad, North West. Investigators conducted a preliminary investigation after a school building was set alight and the fire was extinguished. They established there was a burglary in one of the school blocks that was not affected by the fire.

Through the activation of the Tactical Response Team (TRT), drones, crime intelligence and the community policing forum (CPF), suspects allegedly involved in the burglary were identified, said North West police spokesperson Sgt Kelebogile Morake.

She said during follow-up operations, some of the stolen school property, including toiletries, was recovered in the possession of the suspects. They were immediately arrested. More arrests are expected, including those of individuals who allegedly purchased stolen property following the school burglary.

The incident adds to growing concerns over fires and arson attacks at schools across North West, which have resulted in millions of rands in damage and drawn strong condemnation from the provincial department of education.

In August, a fire at Sewagodimo Technical School in Pella Village destroyed five workshops, classrooms and storerooms, highlighting the devastating impact such incidents can have on educational infrastructure and learning environments.

OFM News DG

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.