Schooled in disorder

Thousands of Western Cape pupils could not write exams due to violent clashes between residents and police yesterday.

In Vrygrond, on the Cape Flats, a dispute relating to the shortage of taxi-operating licences created violence, and in Grabouw it was about poor service delivery.

Stones, insults, stun grenades and rubber bullets flew between the parties, which included children in school uniform.

"Girls are raped all the time but we never see the police. Now they are here," said youth Saneze Salelo as black smoke billowed from a burning tyre in Vrygrond.

"Teachers are not going to believe us. We can't get a letter to prove what happened. And we are writing our tests," said pupil Esihle Myeki.

Community leaders claim about 500 children could not go to school due to the mayhem.

Councillor Shaun August said he had heard that shots were fired and people had been stabbed during the protest. "The Vrygrond Taxi Association is not allowing taxis from neighbouring Retreat and Steenberg to enter the area so they can have the monopoly," said August.

At the same time, more than 60km from the Mother City, Grabouw residents pelted cars and trucks with stones along the N2.

They were demanding adequate housing and municipal services.

Five schools in the town were closed as the violence escalated.

Community Safety MEC Dan Plato said the protesters had used "guerrilla tactics" to attack anyone trying to enter the area.

A section of the N2 highway was closed during the protest.

Education MEC Debbie Schäfer laid criminal charges against members of political parties, including the ANC, who she claims are involved in the protests.

Schäfer said 6000 children had been deprived of their constitutional right to education.

"Primary school learners are currently writing the Annual National Assessments and high school learners are writing their September examinations," said Schäfer.

The ANC said in a statement that Schäfer was guilty of "laying "facetious, frivolous and vexatious charges".