DA lays charges of intimidation and incitement to violence against two SADTU officials
Government need to ensure that there are consequences for those strikers who break the law
Schools forced to close because of fear of violence and fear for safety of children





I have laid charges against two regional officials of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU), after an upsurge in violence and intimidation at schools. At a meeting of SADTU members in Soweto on Tuesday, the union's Regional Chairperson Moses Senye and Regional General Secretary Ronald Nyathi urged members to disrupt schools which were not on strike. They said they would target schools in three areas and implied violence would be used to shut them down.

I laid charges of incitement to violence and intimidation, against Mr. Senye and Mr. Nyathi, at the Parkview Police Station in Johannesburg, and was issued with the case number CAS-429/8/2010.

Following their statements all three of those schools have closed, one after violent disruption, and the other two out of fear of violence.

Of the nine schools I have visited or had contact with in Johannesburg this morning, five are completely closed, one is partially closed. Two are open with almost all staff present but reduced numbers of pupils and one is operating normally.

All the schools that have closed have either experienced acts of violence on their premises or have decided to close out of fear for the safety of their children. In most cases those schools have been threatened over the phone by people claiming to be SADTU members.

Even operating schools are nervous. Parents, teachers and pupils are stressed and education is being disrupted. Teachers have a legal right to strike but not to interfere with those who do not wish to join them. From the Eastern and Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, teaching has stopped because of fear of violence.

In every case the South African Democratic Teachers' Union is behind the intimidation and violence. This is not democracy. The government needs to ensure that every case of intimidation and violence is reported and investigated and that there are consequences for those who have broken the law. Teachers and officials involved in illegal acts should not be allowed to continue in state employment.

I will closely monitor the progress of the charges and ensure that the cases are investigated properly.