Rioting affects learners
Matric exams may be postponed to next year June
THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) fears that more than 100 matrics at Louwville High School in Vredenburg may not write their Xhosa paper 2 exams today should the violent protest intensify.
The Saldanha Bay Municipality town came to a standstill on Tuesday when 3 000 disgruntled people took to the streets calling for the delivery of basic services.
An officer was injured, 38 people arrested and 11 police vehicles damaged.
Public Order police were deployed in areas including Ongegund.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said the 38 people aged between 20 and 59 arrested appeared in court yesterday on charges of public violence.
“The court case was postponed until tomorrow (today) and the suspects remanded in custody. Police and other law enforcement agencies continue to monitor the situation. We are urging protesters to carry themselves in an orderly manner that does not infringe on the rights of others.”
Hundreds of Grade 8 to 11 learners were affected when exams were postponed yesterday.
The WCED said the matrics were able to write their NSC Afrikaans paper.
“We are, however, concerned for the Grade 12 learners who will be writing Xhosa paper 2 tomorrow (today) as we are informed that many of the NSC candidates reside in the area that is experiencing the most violence.
“While we can move learners to a safer location (we have plans in place should we need to), if buses cannot get in or out of the areas in which the learners reside they will not be able to get to any venue,” said department spokesperson Jessica Shelver.
The next opportunity they will have to write their exams will be in May or June next year should they not be able to write today.
Social Development MEC Albert Fritz said the protest was making it difficult for the local office to provide services to the community as many staff didn’t go to work after receiving threats yesterday.
“We cannot allow this flagrant disregard of the law to inhibit service delivery. While citizens have the right to protest, we do not approve of violent and illegal protest action, which not only threatens lives and destroys property, but also inhibits service delivery to communities in need,” Fritz said.
Saldanha Bay Municipality said the situation remained tense in the George Kerridge and Hopland area, with incidents of the burning of tyres. The municipal mechanical workshop and fleet management offices in Vredenburg were severely damaged in a fire on Tuesday night.
People affected by the protest action requiring social relief can contact Caesar Sauls at 079 932 4127, or regional director Dr Lynette Rossouw at 083 350 0894.