Mthatha Technical College pupils caused what is expected to be hundreds of thousands of rands in damages when they vandalised the school and set its bakkie alight over technical drawing boards today. Shortly after prayer assembly after 8am today, the pupils who initially started protesting last week Friday over the drawing boards, went on a rampage setting the school's bakkie alight, breaking all the windows of the administration block and pelting cooks with stones.
The violent protest was sparked by the school reportedly asking R200 before issuing the drawing boards last week. The pupils believe the drawing boards are part of government-sponsored stationery, therefore, they should not pay before they are issued. They are also against returning them at the end of the year.
Police were called and monitored the situation. As a result of the chaos, the school has been closed indefinitely. By 11.30am, pupils were seen leaving the hostel with their bags.
They were still singing defiant songs as they left the school premises in groups. Some told the Daily Dispatch that the situation got out of control but stressed that their protest was necessary.
School principal Bongani Dinga declined to comment and referred questions to the OR Tambo district education department.
EC college pupils vandalise school over drawing boards
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