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News24 reports that illegal miners (zama zamas) have allegedly stripped the Wedela Technical High School of piping and other infrastructure, leaving toilets non-functioning and teachers and pupils living in fear.
On Wednesday morning, a large group of pupils led by the Congress of SA Students (Cosas) embarked on a protest, demanding safety and services at the school. Police vans, the principal’s car, and passing vehicles were pelted with stones. Two female pupils sustained head injuries after stones ricocheted off speeding police vehicles, before hitting them. During the chaos, pupils burned tyres, blocked streets, and turned away vehicles attempting to pass the school.
Cosas West Rand deputy convener, Nikho Phakathi, said the issues at the school were “alarming” as zama zamas had looted much of the school’s critical infrastructure, leaving over 1,400 pupils without basic services. Phakathi stated: “The situation is unbearable, and the (education) department has ignored our repeated pleas. We are here, led by the pupils, declaring: enough is enough. We demand a conducive learning environment.” Cosas vowed to continue with the school shutdown until their concerns were addressed.
The parent of a pupil urged the Department of Education to provide round-the-clock armed guards to protect the school from illegal mining activities. “If zama zamas aren’t stopped, they will eventually enter the school to rob and harm everyone. Nobody is safe. They’ve looted almost everything, and when there’s nothing left, they’ll target people,” she warned.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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