CAPE TOWN - The education system is “under siege” as teachers continue to be targeted by criminals, inside and outside school premises. Nine incidents were reported in the province since the start of the school year.
These sentiments were expressed by unions, families of victims, activists and experts in the education space who are concerned about the scourge of violence against teachers.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said that since the start of the academic year, to March, nine incidents were reported in schools, and 33 were reported last year alone.
“There has been one fatal incident inside school premises in 2021.
Assaults inside the school property include assaults by other staff members, learners, and the general public.
Attacks outside the school property are not required to be reported to Safe Schools, as this does not fall under the jurisdiction of the WCED,” she said.
The family of Heinz Park Primary School teacher Thulani Manqoyi, who was murdered execution-style in broad daylight, are still searching for the truth eight months later.
Manqoyi, a Grade 6 Maths teacher, was killed in September 2021, when two gunmen forced their way on to the school premises in Philippi and opened fire while he sat reading inside his parked vehicle just before the start of school.
His brother, Simphiwe Manqoyi, said the murder had not only affected his family but many pupils.
“For him, teaching was more than a job. My brother loved children, so he gave his all.
“I was not surprised during his memorial service last year when many pupils spoke about him as a father who went the extra mile.
“One would have thought by now the family would have some sort of closure due to an arrest and knowing what happened.
“However, we are more frustrated than ever because, instead of being told about one strong lead, we hear about rumours, including that it could be school-related or something that has to do with someone in the Eastern Cape. This is really disturbing us mentally, and in all ways you can think of,” he said.
Manqoyi’s death sent shock waves through the education community.
Experts said the attacks and life-threatening intimidations which occured on and off school grounds reflected a violent society that robbed pupils of valuable and seasoned teachers.
His death was not an isolated incident. Several educators across the city were the victims of violent crimes.
In March, Vuyo Duna, a Grade 12 isiXhosa teacher from Bloekombos High School, was gunned down in his driveway in Bloekombos, Kraaifontein, just before leaving for work.
Last month, Primrose Park Primary School lost its long-serving secretary, Zuraya Barden, who was shot and killed while driving to work.
The principal of Itsitsa Primary School in Mfuleni had a narrow escape last year when a brazen gunman walked towards him as he was about to drive into the school and fired shots.
The principal of Bloekombos High School was placed in a safe house last year after receiving death threats, and a car allegedly followed her to school and parked outside the premises.
In 2020, Umyezo Wama Apile High School principal Zameka Mfubesi was killed in a hail of bullets while driving on the Grabouw N2 intersection junction. Alleged hitman Sizwe Bebula was arrested six months later.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said a suspect was arrested in Duna’s case and appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court.
He said Manqoyi’s case was still under investigation, and there had not been an arrest.
In response to safety and security concerns at Bloekombos High School, which emanate from alleged corruption, Hammond said the WCED had also engaged with police.
“The WCED cannot disclose specific details regarding security arrangements to the public.
“The school has access control, and SAPS has been requested to provide routine patrols to support with safety and security. Claims relating to financial mismanagement were investigated. A sanction has been issued.
However, the matter is in an appeal stage,” she said.
South African Council for Educators (Sace) chief executive Ella Mokgalane said: “Our education system is under siege owing to the level of criminality or violence that is being perpetrated against our educators.
“It goes without saying that this affects our educators psychologically, and we cannot expect our teachers to perform optimally while faced with threats of violence. Cases of intimidation perpetrated against educators by educators are reported by victims to SACE for investigation.”
Basil Manuel, executive director of National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa’s (Naptosa), said the number of teachers being attacked across the country was a greater reflection on the lack of respect people had for the people who looked after their children. “While not all these incidents have happened at schools, they have happened in communities that should be protecting our teachers. The problem with people reporting things is that very often the perpetrators are at the schools.
“They are often protected by other people who know what they are doing wrong. Sace has improved its game a lot over the past few years, but the reality is that too many cases take too long. The lengthy process makes the perpetrators feel they can get away with it.”
ANC education spokesperson Khalid Sayed said school safety continued to be an “Achilles heel” for the provincial government.
“Teachers and learners continue to be targeted inside and outside school premises, others by gangs, and some because they have been targeted for some of the wrongs they are trying to right in schools.
“There is a need to improve on systems of reporting corruption, and there must be mechanisms to expedite these investigations so that our teachers don’t make themselves sacrificial lambs by openly fighting corruption and other safety issues alone.
“There must be efforts to also involve community members to provide security in schools before and after school hours,” he said.
Cape Times