It has been reported that a group of Zama Zamas who are in South Africa illegally, broke into Wesselton Primary School in Ermelo this week – threatening learners and teachers to join them in a strike to force law enforcement agencies to release over 200 foreign illegal miners who were arrested last week.
Reports also revealed that of the arrested Zama Zamas, 30 were from Zimbabwe, 92 from Mozambique and 11 from the Kingdom of eSwatini. All of them are allegedly in South Africa illegally.
This country cannot be held at ransom and our children denied their right to education by people who are in the country to engage in illegal activities.
We strongly condemn the Police Minister, Bheki Cele, for not having this situation under control and again proving that his activities in addressing concerns of this nature is limited to grand standing.
The DA would like to request the embassies of the following countries, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and eSwatini to intervene and condemn actions of their countrymen who are involved in illegal activities (ZAMA ZAMAS) to stop threatening Mpumalanga learners and teachers who have nothing to do with illegal mining. We will be writing to these embassies and request an engagement using diplomatic channels to stop or deport illegal immigrants.
This incident has once again put a spotlight on the issues of safety in Mpumalanga schools. Therefore, the DA also calls on both the Provincial Department of Education (DoE) and Department of Safety and Security to find lasting solutions in the fight against gangsterism, bullying and crime in schools. If it means that they should hire private security to protect learners and teachers in schools, let it be. We need learners and teachers to be safe in their school environment.
We also call on the DoE to arrange counselling for the learners and teachers of Wesselton Primary School. The DA will closely monitor the situation and continue advocating for a safer province.