While the Commission welcomes the Minister’s call, the Commission wishes to reiterate that it has consistently stated that the destruction of educational infrastructure significantly undermines the constitutional right to a basic education for tens of thousands of learners.  Violent protests and the burning of school infrastructure during the course of protest action thus have a profoundly negative and long-term impact on the right to education. The impact also extends to the country’s socio-economic development especially for children and vulnerable communities.
The SAHRC strongly condemns the conduct of those responsible for the burning and destruction of educational infrastructure, during protest action. We call upon law enforcement agencies to vigorously detect, apprehend and successfully prosecute those involved in the destruction of educational infrastructure because if the country continue in not strictly applying the criminal sanctions, that encourages impunity and disregard of the law with undesirable consequences for everyone and the economy.  

Ends
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission
Gail Smith – Spokesperson Tel: 060 988 3792 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.