Limpopo protests blamed on lack of communication between authorities and community

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has found that a lack of proper and efficient communication between authorities and affected communities seeking ways to draw attention to their plight and targeting schools has undermined the children’s right to basic education.

This is contained in a report which contains findings and recommendations following a national investigative hearing held over three days.

“The Commission finds that the right to a basic education is affected by protest-related action arising from causes that in most cases may be unrelated to the provision of basic education‚” the report read.

Tin June this year more than 20 schools were torched in Vuwani‚ Limpopo‚ during violent protests by the community over a demarcation dispute. Residents were protesting over the area’s inclusion into the newly established Malamulele Municipality in the Vhembe district.

“The Commission finds that both the Department of Basic Education and the South African Police Service response has‚ in some cases‚ been slow and it appears that no uniform policy or approach in dealing with such incidents is in place.”

“Protesters who deny access to education are violating the right to a basic education of the affected learners‚” the report read.

 Stakeholders such as government departments at a provincial and national level‚ trade unions‚ non-governmental organisations‚ school principals as well as community leaders were invited to make submissions to the SAHCR.

Commission spokesperson Gail Smith said all inputs by stakeholders were “closely considered” during the hearings.