Selby Makgotho

Selby Makgotho

Schooling at Moutse in Sekhukhune has come to a standstill because of renewed protests against the area being incorporated into Limpopo.

Pupils have not attended classes since last week because of the continued protests against the incorporation. The area was incorporated into Limpopo amid protests last year - the residents want to remain in Mpumalanga.

The ANC leadership in Sekhukhune held a meeting at the weekend to discuss the issue. The meeting also discussed alleged police reluctance to deal with the disruption.

According to a source the police are afraid to arrest the leaders of the protest because they feared they would be attacked.

David Magabe, an ANC regional secretary, said: "We are concerned that enemies of progress are using school children to fight their battles."

Magabe said the issue of the borders had long been solved.

"We are now focusing on getting services delivered to the people."

Provincial Education Department spokesman Ndo Mangala said the department had received reports about the disruption of classes.

Police spokesman Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba said Limpopo police were not yet responsible for policing in Moutse.

"We are still waiting for the letter authorising policing in Moutse from the head office in Pretoria," said Ramatseba.