The North West Education Department has an investigation underway in relation to the alleged abduction of 162 Tirelong Secondary School learners from the Boons Mega Farm School.
The perpetrators are said to be a group of drunken mob pretending to be parents who arrived in 2 Combis, 1 half truck, and a small bakkie.
The Education Department mentioned that they are not sure how many children are safe, as some parents have confirmed that their children are at home and will return them to the school.
The Department is yet to do an audit to confirm these numbers.
The learners were moved to this venue because their school building has been deteriorating for years.
When speaking to Radio 702, School governing body chairperson Nkhanedzeni Mungomeni accused the North West Education Department of making empty promises for three years to build a new school after the deterioration of Tirelong Secondary School, and yet not a single brick has been laid.
A resident of Molote village, Mpho Mosoane shared:
There are only two secondary schools in this ward, with more than 12 primary schools. Guess what? We are left with Lesele Secondary School and Naauwpoort Secondary School.
Infrastructure seems not to be the only challenge that the schools in the area are facing.
In a statement, the North West Education Minister, Mmaphefo Matsemela strongly condemned the incident and indicated that the perpetrators should be brought to book.
For the full statement, click here.
Matsemela also confirmed that the education department is also in possession of video clips to substantiate that these were not parents.
NW Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said they will follow up with police officials with whom the department had opened a case of abduction and malicious damage to property.