Presidency enters Cape school crisis

2012-03-27 08:40

Cape Town - The presidency is trying to help resolve racial conflict in Grabouw, the Cape Times reported on Tuesday.

Planning Commission Minister Trevor Manuel had sent his adviser, Cameron Dugmore, to meet a community task team set up in January.

Residents and parents formed the team to tackle overcrowding at the Umyezo Wama Apile combined school.

Black and coloured residents faced off last week in violent protests over schooling, which left the local school damaged and four people injured.

Elgin Grabouw Civic Association chairperson John Michels said they welcomed the government's intervention. They however found it frustrating that the national government had made the move, rather than provincial government, which he said had the power to address the problem.

Dugmore had met with the task team twice. According to the report, he invited them to a meeting to be attended by trade unions, pupil representatives from the Umyezo and Groenberg high schools, principals from both schools, community development workers and ward councillors.

- SAPA