Axe falls on 16 schools

The Western Cape government has won the right to close 16 of the 17 schools it initially wanted to shut down two years ago.

The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein has overturned an earlier order barring then education MEC Donald Grant from carrying out the closures.

Grant announced the closure of 27 schools in 2012, citing poor performance and low pupil numbers.

Following public hearings, he dropped the number to 18, but 17 of them took legal action.

Last year, amid heightened mud-slinging between the ruling DA and the ANC, the Western Cape High Court overturned Grant's decision.

Two out of three judges - André le Grange and Nape Dolamo - agreed to set aside Grant's decision on all 17 schools, while the third - Lee Bozalek - supported the closure of 16 schools.

The SCA has agreed with his minority judgment.

Education MEC Debbie Schafer welcomed yesterday's judgment.

"While we can claim a victory, this is really a victory for learners, because the judgment makes it easier for us to improve education opportunities," she said.

Her spokesman, Jessica Shelver, could not say when they would start closing the schools.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille tweeted: "I hope all those that were quick to cry 'racism' over WCape school closures will take time to read the Appeal Court's judgment."

Vanessa le Roux, director of Save our Schools, said the organisation was disappointed by the judgment, which its legal team would study.

"There is a possibility that we may appeal," she said.