SANDF to be deployed at Gauteng schools

Some organisations, including the Congress of South African Students (Cosas), have called for another shutdown of schools across the country following the return of grade 12 pupils on Monday. 

Gauteng has already seen some disruptions since the resumption of schooling. 

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has vowed to prevent further disruptions. 

“These disruptions are the ones that are making learners to not feel safe to come to school. 

“We believe that, if we can up this kind of support, the majority of learners can start to come back to school. 

“The army has agreed to be standby to protect schools for those who want to disrupt schools, the Cosas’ and SGBs that want to disrupt schools.”

Lesufi said the troops will be outside school perimeters. 

“They’re not within the school premises, they just stand by closer to schools.” 

He admitted that there are some concerns, but vowed that pupils would be safe. 

“We are in the process of finalising a memorandum of understanding with the army.

“They made an offer. It’s not that we approached the army and on the basis of the offer we have put together a memorandum of understanding and within this context is that they must not harass learners or attack them or harm learners.

“We are not ignorant of some of the things they have done before.”

At least 351 Gauteng schools have been vandalised since the start of the year. 

Lesufi said progress has been made to fix damaged buildings, but measures are still needed to prevent further damage.

“We don’t want to be accused of using the army to skiet en donner, they’re just there to protect.” 

It’s unclear when they will be deployed and to which areas. 

Lesufi addressed Parliament’s cooperative governance committee on Wednesday evening.  

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