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Khutsong schools empty
15/05/2007 11:32 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Zero pupil attendance was reported at some Khutsong schools on Tuesday, hours after two people were arrested for attacks on three spaza shops.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Louis Jacobs said two people were arrested for housebreaking and theft in the early hours of Tuesday.
This was after three home-based spaza shops owned by foreigners were attacked at about 23:00.
Attempts were made to set alight one of the homes and some stones were thrown at police, Jacobs said.
"Early Tuesday, things started to calm down again although certain roads are still barricaded."
North West education spokespersonCharles Raseala said some schools on Tuesday were reporting zero pupil attendance and others very low numbers.
No schooling since April
"It looks like the situation is worse than yesterday in terms of attendance," Raseala said.
No schooling took place on Monday in Khutsong's 12 schools under boycott since April over the incorporation of Khutsong into the North West province from Gauteng.
This was despite a 90% attendance by pupils at some schools after pupils were urged to return last Friday.
Jacobs dismissed a media report that North West police were targeted by stone throwers on Monday because they were brought to Khutsong to enforce government's decision to incorporate the area into the province.
No violence had been reported during the day but there had been stone-throwing at all types of vehicles in the late afternoon, he said.
"A lot of rubble (from barricades) remains where it is lying around. You could arrive at any time of day and would find that in some of the streets."
The area was reported to be quiet on Tuesday morning.
Violent protests
Khutsong - near Carletonville - has three high schools and nine primary schools, with 13 700 pupils.
The school boycott started on April 12 when teachers reported for duty on April 12 but did not teach. A pupil boycott followed on April 17.
By Friday, 21 school days had been lost.
Raseala said the department would be advised by the North West education MEC Johannes Tselapedi on the way forward.
Merafong municipality was incorporated into North West last year. Parts of the municipality previously fell under Gauteng.
The move evoked strong criticism and resulted in violent protests from Khutsong residents.
- SAPA
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