TEKWANE NORTH – The Karino/Plaston road was reopened to traffic a few hours ago after protesters blocked it at the turnoff to the township this morning.
View pictures of the protest here.
Children joined their parents and other concerned community members in burning tyres after two school girls were sexually assaulted yesterday. Police spokesman Brig Selvy Mohlala said the girls, aged 20 and 21, were dragged into bushes on their way home from school. He said they were released the same day and have been taken to a place of safety.
The protesters demanded that a secondary school be built for their children closer to their homes, and that scholar transport be provided for the pupils.
The incident brought up the fact that children residing in Tekwane North have to walk very far to attend school. Mr Tender Sithole said he was a very concerned resident since he has a younger sister who goes to school. “These kids have to trek through bushes to get to the school, which is about four kilometres away. If it wasn’t for the rape cases this protest would not have happened,” he said.
The provincial Department of Education also said they viewed the incident in a very serious light. “The safety of learners concerns us very much,” said Mr Mfana Lushaba, the Ehlanzeni district manager in the department. “Usually we don’t provide scholar transport inside a 10km radius, but given the situation we will start providing transport for primary and secondary school pupils as of Monday.”
A meeting has been scheduled between the community and department tonight. According to Mohlala nobody has been arrested in connection with the crime yet.
I think Thekwane north deserves schools closer to them a high school and a primary school, The kids were they walk on their way to school is not safe for them to walk there.