Learners raped: PSA demands Limpopo MEC’s resignation
The department’s failure to provide scholar transport, is the MEC’s responsibility, the Public Service Association in the province has said.
LIMPOPO – Public Service Association Spokesperson in Limpopo, John Teffo, has ascribed the rape of two learners in the Blouberg area in Limpopo to the Department of Education’s failure to provide scholar transport.
A Gr 12 learner was reportedly raped on her way to school on 12 June. The girl attends school at the Ramotshabi Secondary School, situated seven kilometres from the village where she stays, and had to walk through a bushy area with other learners as there is no scholar transport provided for learners in the area. The girl and two friends were stopped along the way by a man who had a knife and a chain, the police confirmed.
“The provision of reliable and safe scholar transport supports the fundamental right to education as provided in the constitution. Scholar transport beneficiaries are the poorest of the poor, and failure to provide such transport further perpetuates inequality and poverty as education is the main vehicle to escape poverty. The PSA previously warned the Education MEC of Limpopo to ensure that the scholar transport fiasco is resolved to ensure learners’ safety, but the call fell on deaf ears,” Teffo said.
In the other attack, a girl attending Rammutla Primary School in Bochum was raped while walking to school.
“The MEC must take responsibility for this tragic incident as her negligence resulted in the rape of this young learner, who will carry the emotional scars of the crime with her for the rest of her life. The MEC has failed to deal with the problem of scholar transport since January, which shows that she either does not know her duties, or does not regard the safety of learners as a priority.”
Teffo said the PSA also cautioned the department regarding its unpreparedness to reopen schools, but the department maintained its readiness. “The PSA made a submission to the department to ensure provision of scholar transport, personal protective equipment, toilets, water and sanitiser before reopening schools to avoid exposing learners and employees to risks, and clearly indicated that the department needed more than three months to deal with these issues. The department, however, continued to recklessly reopen schools, he added.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/336168/watch-58-learners-exit-overloaded-scholar-transport-vehicle-limpopo/
The MEC has failed the people of Limpopo repeatedly, he asserted, saying the PSA is calling on her to resign, “failing which the premier should relieve her of her duties”.
In a media release late last week, the Department of Education confirmed these rape cases.
“These young people opted to brave many other challenges presented by Covid-19, to return to school in pursuit of a better future. We strongly condemn these cruel and reckless acts and commit to assisting the relevant authorities in catching these perpetrators. We also call upon our local communities to cooperate with the police and take up their role of protecting women and children in our communities.”
Limpopo Education MEC, Polly Boshielo in reaction to the PSA report, said government will continue to work with the relevant provincial government departments in improving safety in communities and raising awareness on gender-based violence. “Psycho-social services to support the victims and the school community are being provided in both cases,” she concluded.
