Elisha Molefe
Elisha Molefe
Residents of 14 Taung villages in North West disrupted registration at schools yesterday, saying their children would return only when Northern Cape schools reopened next week.
Inland schools reopen for the 2009 academic year today.
Scores of residents, including Lower Majeakgoro villagers, burnt tyres at school gates and hindered the registration process.
More than 20 schools were affected as residents said they would continue to disrupt schools because they did not recognise the North West province.
The Greater Taung municipality has meanwhile vowed to "use every constitutional device available" to force the government to reincorporate them into Northern Cape.
Residents said service delivery in North West was poor and that all essential services were available only in Northern Cape's Phokwane municipality.
Moses Maruping, a resident of Lower Majeakgoro village, said his children would go to school only when the Northern Cape schools reopened next week. "I regard myself as a citizen of that province," said Maruping.
Some of the teachers at the affected villages said they feared for their lives and would support the disgruntled residents.
Thuso Masire, a teacher at Lower Majeakgoro, said that they were prepared to distribute text-books to pupils so that classes could be conducted - but that this would only happen by next week.
Masego Khumalo, spokesman for the Mothibi Demarcation Forum, said they had taken the decision to protest "to force the government" to listen to them just like it had done for Khutsong, Matatiele and Moutse residents in other provinces.
"We have asked the government to intervene since the era of [former North West premier] Popo Molefe and Manne Dipico [formerly of Northern Cape] but nothing was done."
Khumalo said that the villagers would not participate in the coming general elections if their demands were not met.
Tanana Monama, North West's provincial government spokesman, cautioned villagers not to interfere with the children's education but rather to raise the matter with the national government.
"We have done everything in our ability to render proper services in those areas," Monama said.
'We don't want these North West schools'
Elisha Molefe
Elisha Molefe
Residents of 14 Taung villages in North West disrupted registration at schools yesterday, saying their children would return only when Northern Cape schools reopened next week.
Inland schools reopen for the 2009 academic year today.
Scores of residents, including Lower Majeakgoro villagers, burnt tyres at school gates and hindered the registration process.
More than 20 schools were affected as residents said they would continue to disrupt schools because they did not recognise the North West province.
The Greater Taung municipality has meanwhile vowed to "use every constitutional device available" to force the government to reincorporate them into Northern Cape.
Residents said service delivery in North West was poor and that all essential services were available only in Northern Cape's Phokwane municipality.
Moses Maruping, a resident of Lower Majeakgoro village, said his children would go to school only when the Northern Cape schools reopened next week. "I regard myself as a citizen of that province," said Maruping.
Some of the teachers at the affected villages said they feared for their lives and would support the disgruntled residents.
Thuso Masire, a teacher at Lower Majeakgoro, said that they were prepared to distribute text-books to pupils so that classes could be conducted - but that this would only happen by next week.
Masego Khumalo, spokesman for the Mothibi Demarcation Forum, said they had taken the decision to protest "to force the government" to listen to them just like it had done for Khutsong, Matatiele and Moutse residents in other provinces.
"We have asked the government to intervene since the era of [former North West premier] Popo Molefe and Manne Dipico [formerly of Northern Cape] but nothing was done."
Khumalo said that the villagers would not participate in the coming general elections if their demands were not met.
Tanana Monama, North West's provincial government spokesman, cautioned villagers not to interfere with the children's education but rather to raise the matter with the national government.
"We have done everything in our ability to render proper services in those areas," Monama said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos