SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS THAT DISRUPT LEARNING HAVE INTENSIFIED - SAHRC

The SAHRC says there’s a belief that disrupting schooling during protests will attract a swift response.

FILE: Grabouw residents protest on 10 May 2016 after shacks were demolished in the area. Picture: Thomas Holder/EWN.

JOHANNESBURG – The South African Human Rights Commission(SAHRC) says service delivery protests that disrupt learning have intensified over the past five years.

The commission is holding a three-day national hearing on the impact of violent protests on education around the country. 

SAHRC Director Lindiwe Mokate says there’s a belief amongst community members that disrupting schooling during protests, will attract a swift response from government.

“We are concerned about the kind of protests that we are seeing and the impact that protest action has on the rights of learners to basic education.”

Protests highlighted include the demonstrations in Kuruman, in the Northern Cape, where 54 schools were shut down following grievances over poor roads.

Also mentioned were the protests in Vuwani in Limpopo, where over 24 schools were torched over demarcation protests.