Cobus Coetzee
SCHOOLS reopened in Grabouw as calm returned after three days of violent protest, but attendance was low and one principal found her office had been burgled.
More than 6 000 pupils – some of them Grade 12s writing “mock” matric papers and primary school children writing the Annual National Assessment papers – were affected as the protests led to five schools closing.
The protests began on Monday, with more than 1 000 residents going into the streets to demand houses and better roads.
The town was quiet yesterday, and the N2, which had been closed at intervals since the beginning of the week, was open. Six police Nyalas were parked along the N2.
Education spokeswoman Jessica Shelver said all schools were open, but only about 10 percent of pupils had attended.
The schools closed during the protests were Kathleen Murray Primary, Pineview Primary, Groenberg High School, Umyezo Wama Apile High School and Umyezo Wama Apile Primary School.
Gladys Badela, principal of Umyezo Wama Apile Primary, said none of the school’s 1 357 pupils had turned up yesterday.
“The teachers were able to reach the school, but none of the children came. Maybe their parents thought it was still too unsafe.”
Badela said she had discovered that thieves had targeted the school, stealing computers from her office, as well as food, bags and a kettle.
“The alarm did go off on Tuesday evening, but the security company could not come out because all the roads were closed.”
Nine people, arrested during the protests, appeared in the Grabouw Magistrate’s Court on charges of public violence, while 12 others appeared on housebreaking charges.
Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela met municipal officials and members of the area’s taxi association to assess the situation.
“As the government, we do not have enough money to do everything at once,” he said.
Madikizela said he, Theewaterskloof mayor Chris Punt and 18 community leaders would meet in Grabouw today to discuss service delivery.
Police spokesman Tembinkosi Kinana said:. “It has been quiet, but the police will remain in the area to ensure this calm continues.”