Question 219
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether in the course of the recent strike, her department continuously monitored all schools to ensure that both the learners and non-striking educators remained safe; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many incidents of physical violence were reported and (b) how many culprits were arrested?
Reply:
Yes, my department continuously monitored all schools to ensure that both the learners and non-striking educators remained safe. The department set up a National Strike Council and Provincial Strike Councils to assess, monitor and manage the industrial action and its impact on schools, learners and educators. A National Joint Operation as well as Provincial Joint Operations was established that worked together with the Departments of Defence, National Intelligence and South African Police which gathered information of where areas were volatile and sent in forces to ensure that reported areas were safe. In addition, there was also monitoring of the functionality of schools with particular emphasis on attendance and safety.
Information received from provincial education departments indicated the following:
In the Western Cape one incident of physical violence was reported. In the North West two incidents of physical violence were reported. One incident happened on 25 August 2010, where Mr Tshounyane, an official of the North West Department at Ngaka Modiri Molema District was attacked by strikers at gunpoint and hospitalised. The case was reported to the police.
The second incident happened at a school in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District on 19 August 2010 where a learner stabbed two learners with a glass. The two learners were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries and the matter was reported to the police. Whilst this incident is not directly related to striking employees, it was established that the lack of supervision of learners during the strike could have created a space for such incident to happen.
How many culprits were arrested?
In the Western Cape police arrested three teachers. In the North West no one has been arrested as yet. However, investigations are still being carried out. In the case of the minor who is 15 years old, police have placed him under the care and supervision by the his parents.
Honourable members, it is worth noting that the above information responds only to reported incidents of physical violence. There were cases of intimidations that were reported from all provinces such as threats to the safety of employees in schools and district offices; closing/barricading of district offices to prevent staff from entering and damage to property. These matters are under investigation and are still subjudice until the investigations and disciplinary hearings are concluded.
Source: Department of Education
