MEC Makgoe peeved after Intuthuko Katleho Secondary School goes up in smoke, vows to intervene!

A devastating fire gutted Intuthuko Katleho Secondary School situated in Vrede, and causing extensive damage, as it destroyed over 23 classrooms and the entire admin block on Friday, 22 July.

The damage has left 1 050 learners and 31 teachers without school to attend.

Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe, expressing with shock, said he will on Monday, 25 July visit the school to conduct assessment and established the extent of the damage caused by fire that gutted the school. 

A media release by the department read as follows:

“The MEC will be accompanied by  senior of officials of the Infrastructure Unit, Phumelela Local Municipality Mayor, MD Kobeni and Thabo Mofutsanyane  District Municipality  Executive Mayor, Connie Msibi.

Makgoe said the aim of this visit is to restore  the school operations as soon as practically possible.

“We are devastated  by this tragedy which has resulted in the  entire school being burnt to ashes,” Makgoe said.

According to the department, school furniture, computers, learner support materials  and other critical documents were also destroyed by the blaze.

In addition, Free State Education said the cause of the fire is being investigated. 

“This is excruciatingly hurful given the fact that we don’t have enough schools in  this area. This incident is taking us back as we will be required to rebuild another schools and funds are  not readily available,” the department further said.

Meanwhile, the department further added that shool learners will be accommodated at two secondary schools in Vrede.