Mobile classrooms arrive in Vuwani

As trucks offload mobile classrooms in Vuwani, classes have yet to resume as food and furniture haven't been delivered.

Vuwani – The Limpopo Department of Education on Wednesday said the process of procuring furniture and stationery for more than 20 schools burned down during municipal demarcation disputes was at an advanced stage.

The province’s education spokesperson Naledzani Rasila said the department had submitted purchase orders for the required furniture and was now waiting for delivery from suppliers.

“We have received mobile classrooms [which] trucks have been offloading since Tuesday and late in the evening,” said Rasila.

At least 74 mobile classrooms were expected and would accommodate some 60 000 pupils while government begins rebuilding the destroyed schools.

However, Rasila said because the affected schools did not yet have food and furniture pupils were sent back home.

Another factor that was delaying the resumption of classes, was continued intimidation of teachers and pupils by some community members.

Vuwani remains calm but tense with the presence of riot police evident. Police are escorting the trucks that are delivering mobile classrooms.

State Security Minister David Mahlobo has warned against intimidating pupils and teachers saying the offenders would be brought to book.

Unrest in the area began at the end of April after the High Court ruled against the community’s bid to stop the Municipal Demarcation Board from incorporating their villages into the new Malamulele Municipality.

At least 20 schools were burned to the ground in the ensuing violence that accompanied protests in the area.

Community leaders have since decided to appeal the Court’s ruling, but if this fails the disputed area will be incorporated into Malamulele before the August 3, 2016 local government elections.

African News Agency