Parents promise more mass action over education

PARENTS who were arrested and allegedly manhandled by police after marching to highlight the education crisis in the northern areas have promised even more mass action – including a complete lockdown of the area.

Fourteen people – 11 men and three women – were arrested in Stanford Road in Gelvandale yesterday after they blocked the road and obstructed traffic.

The small group of about 70 parents had marched from the Cleary Park Shopping Centre to the Gelvandale Stadium.

Nationalist Coloured Party regional chairman Marlon Daniels, who was the first person arrested, said: “This detention is a small price to pay. We are not going to stop.”

Speaking from a cell at the Gelvandale police station, Daniels said the police had acted prematurely by making the arrests. “It was the wrong move. “They are removing the only voice for the children who are affected by the education crisis in our schools,” he said.

Police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the people arrested had been released on warning to appear in court on Tuesday.

“They were arrested in terms of the Road Traffic Act for obstructing traffic on a public road,” she said.

“They were warned by police not to obstruct traffic, but they ignored the warnings.”

The march, which started just after 8am, was intended to be a peaceful demonstration to highlight the parents’ call for one teacher in every classroom.

It was organised by a concerned group of parents of pupils in the northern areas. Some of the parents belong to the Northern Areas Education Forum (NAEF).

About 70 people took part in the march.

The crowd sang and chanted as they progressed to the Gelvandale Stadium, followed closely by a large police contingent. Daniels addressed the marchers at the stadium at about 10am.

Two men who identified themselves as officials from the department’s legal office in Bhisho arrived at 11.30am, but the parents refused to listen to them.

They then decided to block Stanford Road near the Sasol garage.

Tempers flared as some parents argued with police while others blocked traffic travelling in both directions.

Police warned the marchers to move away before arresting some of them.

They also used stun and smoke grenades to disperse them.

Provincial education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said he was waiting for a report from the two officials who had gone to address the crowd.

“We have made progress on issues such as the quintile contestations and issue of budgets,” he said.

“We will hold a summit on the issue of learners with special needs and 143 teachers have been recruited in the Port Elizabeth district.”