Since the blaze that destroyed Hoerskool PJ Olivier's two R600 000 four-month-old computer labs and other buildings in late February, the school is moving forward and working towards reversing the damage done.
Since the blaze that destroyed Hoerskool PJ Olivier's two R600 000 four-month-old computer labs and other buildings in late February, the school is moving forward and working towards reversing the damage done.
According to principal, Piet Snyders, all classes have resumed with only one teacher being relocated to an office space instead of a classroom. The remainder of teachers have been accommodated. Plans are already underway to re-establish a computer lab in the school library, Snyders said, and they currently have 15 new computers which can be used once a new server is installed by local company IT Solutions.
The debris left by the fire is being removed by CM Heunis Building Contractors, which began last week. Synders anticipates the clean-up will be completed by the beginning of next week, after which engineers will assess the damage and see whether or not the buildings can be renovated or salvaged.
Another school recovering from fire damage, Victoria Girls High School, is also trying to move forward after its bursar's office was set alight, as well as an arson attempt made a few days later on their administration building. According to the school's acting principal, Warren Schmidt, there was a fair amount of smoke damage and about a quarter of the [bursar's] office was burnt.
He estimated that the cost of fixing the office and replacing damaged equipment amounts to tens of thousands of rands.
According to Captain Mali Govender, the Grahamstown SAPS spokesperson, the two cases of arson are still under investigation as well as cases of intimidation surrounding the incidents. An appeal is made to any person that could assist in the investigation with information to contact Captain Riaan Havenga on 0824168279, she said.
She also reminded the public that all information received by the police is treated in the strictest confidence.
