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The DA condemns in the strongest terms possible the destruction of 17 schools in Vuwani, Limpopo. This violent conduct amounts to the theft of opportunities for hundreds of young South Africans from the poorest communities in South Africa.

Without these opportunities, our children will be locked into the cycle of poverty. The future scientist, doctor and lawyer in Vuwani has this week suffered a major blow in Limpopo.

The DA supports the Constitutional right to protest peacefully within the confines of the law. And we are aware of the numerous concerns that the community has raised. But criminal and violent conduct is never the solution.

Our chief concern now remains the children. An action plan must immediately be tabled in Parliament by the National Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, as to what urgent interventions will be introduced to ensure that no student is negatively affected.

The parents of the students also need to be appropriately briefed as to what the government will be doing to help.

My colleague, Zakhele Mbhele MP, the DA’s Shadow Minister of Police, will also be demanding an explanation from the South African Police Service. How was this allowed to happen without appropriate interventions? Our schools in the area need to be protected to avoid further destruction.

The ANC has changed. It is indeed taking us in the wrong direction. But violent protest that undermines the future of our children is not the answer. The solution is to vote DA for real change on 3 August 2016.

This is change that will ensure better services to all municipalities in all provinces, where we govern. It is change that will help move South Africa, and its youth, forward again.

Issued by DA