Fire at Phoenix Secondary School Leaves Students in Limbo

On the eve of the academic year, a devastating fire broke out at Phoenix Secondary School, leaving hundreds of students in limbo. The fire was believed to have been caused by petrol bombs, adding to the deep concern over the incident. Donovan Pillay, a concerned parent and community member, expressed his shock at the extent of the damage, stating that the library had been completely destroyed and that books had gone up in flames. The reception area was also damaged. Unfortunately, by the time the fire was detected, it was already at its peak, leaving little that could be done to save the school from further destruction.

Firefighters rushed to the scene promptly after being alerted to the fire, prioritizing extinguishing the blaze in the admin and reception areas. Despite their efforts, the damage to the school was substantial. As senior education department officials are expected to visit to assess the situation, concerns arise over the future of teaching and learning at Phoenix Secondary School.

Donovan Pillay stressed the importance of finding a way forward to restore normalcy in teaching and learning. He suggested the appointment of a committee to facilitate this process and raise funds for the restoration of the school. The incident is particularly disheartening as Phoenix Secondary School had previously enjoyed a glowing track record, making the attack an even more bitter blow. The culprits responsible for the fire have not yet been identified, leaving many wondering about the motive behind this act of vandalism and arson.

While it remains unclear when classes will resume, affected students express their disappointment and frustration. A Grade 10 student from KwaMashu lamented the disruption to the start of the academic year, while Fikile Biyela, a parent hoping to enrol her child in Grade 8, was also left in limbo, instructed to return on the 22nd.

ActionSA, on behalf of the parents and students of Phoenix Secondary School, expressed their dismay and disappointment at the setback caused by this heinous act. They promptly engaged with the KZN Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, requesting the swift deployment of a special investigating team to address the matter. The aim is to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and to prevent further hampering of the students’ academic future.

The Department of Education is urged to provide a temporary solution for the affected learners and educators of Phoenix Secondary School, minimizing the disruption to their academic progress. This incident highlights the presence of crime syndicates operating with impunity, which ActionSA aims to address under their leadership. They plan to establish specialized units to deal with those who violate the constitutional rights of South Africans, particularly the right to education.