Traffic on the N14 and R24 were brought to a halt by protesters on Monday morning (7 May).
The learners of Ithuteng Secondary School in Badirile were up in arms, decrying the lack of proper infrastructure. They demanded answers from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).
Vehicles on the N14 were pelted with stones and many motorists had to hastily find alternative routes.
Angry learners said they have been bearing with the school management to attend to their grievances for far too long, and that enough is enough.
Read the initial article here: Avoid this area! – police warning
The complained that many schools in Gauteng are being issued with tablets and introduced to modern teaching methods, while they are stuck with old, traditional methods.
Learners also said they felt their school has been shunned by the MEC of GDE, Panyaza Lesufi, who they said often visits schools nearby, but has not been to Ithuteng.
“The MEC has been to this area many times. He goes to other schools to hand out tablets, while we are not getting anything,” one learner said.
Another learner demanded, “We want the MEC to come to our school and tell us when we will get proper infrastructure and when will the tablets be handed out to us. We also want our principal to step down.”
“The police can shoot and even kill us, but we are not turning back!” one learner shouted.
After attempts to calm the situation had failed, Randfontein Police were forced to fire rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson said, “This morning approximately 250 learners have been barricading the N12 and R24 since about 7.30am.”
Ernst said the learners burnt tyres and were using stones to prevent vehicles from passing through.
“Randfontein Police station commander, Brigadier Manamela and Visible Policing commander, Colonel Makgatho are in negotiations with the leadership. Learners demanded that MEC of Education intervene to ensure that the school facilities are brought up to standard,” she explained.
Ernst said that by 1pm the negotiations were still ongoing. “The group threw stones at vehicles, therefore the gathering was dispersed with rubber bullets and stun grenades. The road is open and the police are monitoring the situation,” Ernst added.
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