Vuwani schools damage prompts call for new law to punish vandals

24 May 2016 - 17:39 By Bekezela Phakathi

The Department of Basic Education has appealed to lawmakers to strengthen legislation to deal harshly with anyone who vandalises or destroys school infrastructure. Department officials on Tuesday briefed MPs on the recovery plans for the protest-ravaged Vuwani area in Limpopo. Earlier in May Vuwani residents protested against the creation of a new municipality which will include Malamulele residents. The violent protests led to the torching of several schools and other public amenities in the area which disrupted classes."The justice system must be merciless when it comes to dealing with those who destroy schools‚" said Department of Basic Education director-general Mathanzima Mweli.Mweli said it was the first time since the dawn of democracy that close to 30 schools were damaged in one week of protests."We are currently busy reviewing the South African Schools Act ...I think we must have a provision in the legislation to say that if you come near to our schools‚ you will meet the full might of the law and be dealt with harshly‚" said Mweli.Acting head of department of the Limpopo education department Beauty Mutheiwana told MPs that the total cost to repair all the damaged schools was estimated at about R175 million.She said the Department had spent about R27 million on 76 mobile classrooms.National Treasury had concurred with the emergency procurement‚ which deviated from the normal procurement processes‚ said Mutheiwana.Mutheiwana told MPs that the cleaning of the schools‚ rubble removal and clearing of the ground for mobile classes started earlier in May with the help of parolees as well as Expanded Public Works Programme workers. Some parents and school governing bodies formed part of the cleaning teams.Both primary and secondary schools were affected‚ she said.Teaching and learning was set back since May 2 and this affected the writing of preparatory exams in grade 12 and other forms of assessment from grade 1 to 11.Principals and other social partners had met earlier in May to draft a recovery plan‚ which among other things entailed the writing of examinations during the school holidays‚ said Mutheiwana...

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