‘We are outside‚’ education activists tweet during siege of MEC’s home

30 June 2016 - 10:25 By Tmg Digital

Education activists staged a protest – and stirred up a hornet’s nest online featuring Mmusi Maimane and Helen Zille – when they staged a protest to demand safer schools outside the home of Western Cape education MEC Debbie Schafer on Thursday.The protest was led by Equal Education‚ an activist movement of learners‚ parents‚ teachers and community members “working for quality and equality in South African education”.Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane took to Twitter to defend Schafer‚ saying: “I find these actions outrageous and dangerous. Whatever the issue‚ marching to some1 house is wrong and dangerous”.Police arrived to confront the group of about 60 protesters who said they were “singing peacefully in a public street” and wanted to raise awareness about the dangers pupils faced on a daily basis at schools - such as corporal punishment‚ vandalism and theft.Equal Education said it had handed the findings of a social audit into unsafe schools to the MEC’s district directors two months ago but nothing had happened. “We are here at your door to hand it to you‚” its supporters said.The protest unfolded live on Twitter‚ with the MEC refusing to accept the audit report and describing the protest as illegal.Equal Education tweeted that they were outside the house: .@DebbieSchafer We are outside your house to hand over the findings of the social audit! #DemandSafeSchoolspic.twitter.com/dqHXh0Rnj5
— Equal Education (@equal_education) June 30, 2016ssMatlho ‏chipped in with:
"@equal_education: Equalisers chant "Aunti Debbie, sifuna Imfundo engcono" outside MEC @DebbieSchafer house. pic.twitter.com/SIpgjx4WXb"
— Matlho (@Matlho53) June 30, 2016aSchafer responded:@Rebel_sizwe@geordinhl@equal_education I won't accept things on an illegal March to private home that you have not given me at my offixe
— Debbie Schafer (@DebbieSchafer) June 30, 2016sssEarl September said that police then arrived at the house: SAPS want to arrest @equal_education protesters outside home of @WCEDnews min @DebbieSchafer to #DemandSafeSchoolspic.twitter.com/v42PwSv3hQ— Earl September (@earlseptember) June 30, 2016sssPremier Helen Zille then leapt into the debate with a series of tweets‚ including this one: @equal_education@DebbieSchafer We cld spend entire ed budget on safer schools and drug addicts would still find a way to strip and destroy.
— Helen Zille (@helenzille) June 30, 2016ssMaimane described the march as outrageous.I find these actions outrageous and dangerous. Whatever the issue, marching to some1 house is wrong and dangerous https://t.co/SFnEzL55YS
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) June 30, 2016ssEqual Education ‏uploaded a video‚ explaining why they had given the MEC a rude awakening:.@DebbieSchafer listen as @Tumelo_McXhanko, EE facilitator, explains why we are outside your home this morning. pic.twitter.com/BLMou4VIwL
— Equal Education (@equal_education) June 30, 2016ssThe twar turned nasty with Zille attacking the credibility of Equal Education which in turn called her a liar.Premier @helenzille's 3rd ABSURD LIE of the morning. Data given to WCED was on CD, tabulated and organised in Excel. https://t.co/1UXILzEcsS
— Equal Education (@equal_education) June 30, 2016ss- TMG Digital..

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