Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Western Cape Education Department said 27 schools had to close on Monday and some schools allowed pupils to leave early amid violent strike action by taxi operators in Cape Town.
Many children were among those stranded last Thursday when the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) withdrew its services before peak hour due to a dispute with the City of Cape Town related to vehicle impoundments.
It led to sporadic stone throwing and arson attacks on other forms of public transport.
Education MEC David Maynier said the taxi strike prevented a total of 456 020 pupils and 17 449 staff members from getting to school on Monday.
“This is a significant increase from the 287 000 learners and 9 500 staff members who were absent on Friday, and is a devastating loss of teaching and learning time that our children simply cannot afford,” he said.
“We are committed to keeping schools open as far as possible and where it is safe to do so, not just as places of learning, but as places of safety and nutritional support for children. Decisions to close selected schools will be taken on a case-by-case basis, and the school in question will inform parents.”
The department said rumours that schools were being targeted spread wildly on Monday, resulting in panic and confusion.
“No school has reported such an incident. We appeal to the public not to share fake news. Adding to the uncertainty is irresponsible and puts our learners at risk.”
The department urged school communities to report any harassment or intimidation of pupils, so that appropriate legal action could be taken.
“We will not tolerate anyone preventing our children from accessing their constitutional right to education,” he said.
Meanwhile, City of Cape Town Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said law enforcement arrested nine people for public violence and protests in Kraaifontein.
He said at least 44 people were arrested in total on Monday.
Smith said law enforcement monitored the demonstrations and sporadic incidents of unrest in parts of the city, including in hotspot areas including Philippi, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein and the N7. He said the City of Cape Town also removed tyres and debris left over from protests.
“We are also aware of numerous threats against city facilities, infrastructure and staff and are keeping a close watch to mitigate any risks that may arise,” he said.
The City’s traffic services said around 17:00 that the R300 and Jakes Gerwel Drive were reopened to traffic.
Smith asked residents with information about perpetrators of violence and unrest to report them anonymously on 0800 110077.
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