TUESDAY morning saw a larger group of protesters outside the gates of Addington Primary, where March-And-March, supported by political parties and community members, gathered to demand the placement of local children ahead of foreigners.

This time, the lobby group was largely supported by the national members of the anti-illegal foreigners group, Operation Dudula. Among supporters were the ANC, Umkhonto Wesizwe Party, members of parliament, a representative from the Zulu Royal Household, and local NGOs.

The local councillor, Sibusiso Lushaba, is accused of being at the helm of the non-registration of the children. With angry marchers baying for his blood, he had to be whisked away from the mob.

In his response, Lushaba denied the accusations. “I have no powers to manipulate the registration system. In fact, I was instrumental in ensuring that all the 66 children were admitted to either Addington Primary School or Greyville Primary  School or St Anthony’s School,” he said.

Some parents reported that on Monday, following the protest, they received communication assuring them that their children would be admitted to the school. However, on Tuesday, they were told the communication was an error.

“We feel a double blow. Following the 2022 floods, we were displaced, and we were relocated to South Beach. The children were admitted to different schools as far as Lamontville and Overport. We made a plea, and were promised that they would be admitted to Addington, but all that we are told is that there is no space.

“We suffer with transport costs, and most of us are unemployed. This week, we were told that the children would be admitted to Greyville Primary School, Clayton Primary School, and Overport. This came without a plan to assist the children with scholar transport. Also, these schools require twice the amount of school fees compared to Addington,” parents said.

On behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, Muzi Mahlambi said, “We have 66 children on the waiting list, who applied last year and were rejected. As a department, we entertained that list, and we discovered that some children are registered in some schools since previous years. However, the children seek transfers to this school.”

@caxtonlocalmedia There have been a series of protests outside Addington Primary School over the placement of learners at the school. Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Member of ANC Provincial Task Team dispells misconceptions surrounding foreign national children at Addington Primary School and confirms that children who were without a school have now been placed. #bereamail #marchandmarch #addingtonprimaryschool ♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia

Also read: Locals, foreigners face off at Addington Primary School

Mahlambi refuted the accusation that the school has a majority of foreign children, and said only 548 were foreigners. He added that the children who were not admitted in Addington were placed in neighbouring schools, and the department is engaging with Treasury to assist with scholar transport.

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