Seven students being held by police over the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy have reportedly disclosed what drove the arson attack that claimed the lives of 16 learners and left several others injured.
According to investigators, statements recorded from the suspects point to growing frustration among some Form Four students following a decision by the school administration to bring forward examination dates from 16 June to 2 June.
Preliminary investigations have also linked the unrest to disagreements over funding for a cultural event. The students were reportedly unhappy after being instructed to contribute towards costs that had previously been covered by the school.
Detectives further established that the suspects allegedly wanted to burn the dormitory as a form of protest and to emulate the wave of school strikes witnessed across the country in recent weeks.
Investigators believe plans for the attack were hastily organised at around 9 p.m., only a few hours before the blaze erupted shortly after midnight.
Authorities are also examining whether individuals from outside the school may have played a role in the incident and how the students allegedly obtained the kerosene believed to have been used to start the fire.
The seven suspects, who were reportedly identified through CCTV footage released by the school, maintained that their intention was not to injure anyone.
They stated that their intention was not to cause harm to anyone, but to burn down the dormitory as a way to express their anger.
Investigations into the tragedy remain ongoing as detectives work to establish the full sequence of events leading up to the fire.
They were presented to court today for hearing. The police are examining possible charges of arson and murder.
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