Cops to intervene at school

THE Durban High Court has ordered police to intervene if protesting parents try to lock down a Durban south school again.

Acting Judge Feisal Abraham did not mince his words yesterday, when the KwaZuluNatal Department of Education approached the court to help it restore order to Assegai Primary School.

The department, represented by advocate Vishalan Naidu, brought an urgent application against members of the school governing body (SGB) whom – it says – have been leading the protest action.

Judge Abraham said he was “not at all impressed” with their conduct. “Particularly, as we are nearing the end of the academic year and children here have been locked out of the school,” he said.

Judge Abraham granted an interim interdict – by consent – against the SGB chairperson; his deputy and “any persons acting through or in concert with them”.

They were restrained from locking the main entrance to the school and interfering with pupils’ or officials’ access to the premises.

The judge authorised the sheriff to break the lock, if need be. And he made a point of directing police to intervene, if the sheriff was unable to effect his duties.

For weeks, angry parents have been blockading the gates to prevent the newly appointed principal, Sharon Ndlovu, from assuming her duties at the school.

These parents, backed by the SGB, claim that Ndlovu’s appointment was not above board, as some processes were flawed.

Instead they want another candidate – a teacher at the school – to be appointed.

But district director Bhekizenso Henry Ntuli said in his affidavit before Judge Abraham yesterday, that the protesters were motivated by nepotism and racism.

“The distinct impression that I have gained is that they do not want Ms Ndlovu to take up the post, because she is not a long-standing educator in that particular school and because she is African,” he said.

“The department is not willing to countenance such behaviour.

“The department official was told not to come back to Wentworth and that he would be burnt in his vehicle.”

Ntuli said that as of September 11, teachers and pupils were being allowed into the school but that the newly appointed principal and departmental officials were still being prevented from gaining access to the premises.

“The department has a right to ensure that learners, educators and departmental officials are allowed access to the school and for teaching and learning to take place,” he said.

Ntuli added that the protesters’ conduct was in violation of the rights of pupils, teachers and departmental officials.

Departmental spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said yesterday that the “unlawful picnic” was over.

“As a department, we have been vindicated… This is a victory for learners who were subjected to daily harassment by irresponsible individuals,” he said.