Monakato township — Police in the North West are investigating a suspected arson after a fire on 21 August destroyed the school hall at Matlhare Mokautu Secondary School, the provincial Department of Education said. The department estimates the damage at R5 million.
Extent of damage and items lost
The blaze, which broke out after school hours on Friday, 21 August 2026, caused extensive structural and content loss to the hall. The Department of Education’s Director of Communication Services, Dr Elias Malindi, provided an initial inventory of damage.
- Ceiling and roof were severely damaged
- Kitchen shelving destroyed
- Eight toilet sets, one urinal basin and four basins damaged
- Old books lost
- Two fire extinguishers and a hydrant hosepipe damaged
- Five window frames, eight wooden-glass doors and seven internal doors damaged
| Item | Reported damage |
|---|---|
| Ceiling/roof | Extensive |
| Sanitary fittings | Eight toilet sets; one urinal; four basins |
| Doors/windows | Five window frames; eight wooden-glass doors; seven internal doors |
| Safety equipment | Two fire extinguishers; hydrant hosepipe |
| Books | Old books destroyed |
Investigation under way
SAPS have opened a case and are investigating the incident as arson, the department said. The cause of the fire has not been publicly determined and police investigations are expected to establish the circumstances and identify those responsible.
“I strongly condemn such incidents at our schools and call on the SAPS to get to the bottom of this matter and ensure that those responsible face the full might of the law,”
The comment was made by the province’s Education MEC, Dr Desbo Mohono, who described the incident as undermining progress on the department’s school infrastructure programme. In her first meeting with senior department managers after the fire, Mohono was told about the existing backlog in delivering school infrastructure across the province.
Impact on learners and the community
While the department’s statement did not specify the immediate impact on learners’ timetables, the destruction of a central school hall and associated facilities is likely to affect gatherings, sports, assemblies and some functional classrooms or community activities that used the space. The loss of sanitary fittings and kitchen facilities will also require urgent attention to maintain basic services.
School halls in township schools often double as vital community spaces; their loss can disrupt community meetings and after-school programmes that support learners. The department will need to prioritise temporary arrangements while investigations and repairs continue.
Provincial response and next steps
The Department of Education has set the R5 million figure as an initial estimate of damage and equipment loss. Officials will work with SAPS to establish the timeline for repairs and the immediate measures to secure the site and protect learners. The department did not provide a detailed reconstruction plan or a timeline for restoring the hall.
Community members, parents and school governing bodies will likely seek clarity on how learners’ activities will be managed while the hall remains unusable and on any additional security measures to prevent future incidents.
What to expect
- SAPS will conduct a forensic inquiry to determine cause and culpability.
- The Department of Education will compile a repair and replacement plan and cost the rebuilding process beyond the initial estimate.
- Parents and the school governing body can expect engagement from the department on interim arrangements and safety measures.
The suspected arson at Matlhare Mokautu Secondary brings into focus the vulnerability of school infrastructure in the province and the wider challenge of safeguarding education facilities amid an existing backlog of repairs and upgrades. Authorities have been urged to expedite investigations and to ensure that affected learners are not further disadvantaged while the hall is repaired.
Reporter: North West correspondent (Rustenburg).
