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The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns the  violent protests that have now entered their second day outside Hoërskool Overvaal and calls on protestors to respect both the High Court ruling, as well as the appeal process initiated by Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi.

South Africa is a Constitutional Democracy where the rule of law must be observed and upheld. While people have the right to protest, it should not be at the expense of the right of learners to receive an education.

MEC Lesufi must be held accountable for the fiasco that has unfolded outside this place of learning, because while despite trying to address imbalances in the education system, both he and his department were aware of at least three other schools in the area that could accommodate the 55 unplaced learners.

This was reaffirmed by  High Court Judge Prinsloo who presided on the matter.

Instead of addressing the numerous challenges facing the educational sector in the province, the MEC has fanned the flames of racial division and incited anger in communities.

MEC Lesufi must go to Hoërskool Overvaal and quell the situation before it takes a nasty turn. He initiated this process, now he must take control of it.

We call on the department to engage with the school in order to find common ground. If the school has capacity to accommodate the learners, the department must commit the necessary resources and learners must be placed. Integration at schools is important and it should be planned in a manner that does not compromise learning. Where schools are requested to accommodate learners, those schools must be capacitated to do so.

Language must never be used to divide but must rather be used to build our diversity.

The DA urges all involved in the protests to respect the rule of law and await the decision of the courts.

Issued by DA