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Schools closed in Ramokokastad, NW

───   15:20 Fri, 14 Sep 2018

Schools closed in Ramokokastad, NW  | News Article

Following an abrupt intervention by the North West Premier in Ramokokastad near Rustenburg in a standoff between the BaPhalane Traditional Council and the local residents, several schools have not reopened.


This despite learners writing their preliminary examinations countrywide.

One of the teachers at Baphalane Primary School told OFM News today that all four schools - two primary schools, one secondary school, and a combined school, will only be reopened on Monday. Residents accused the council of maladministration and corruption and this led to violent protests with schools and clinics being shut down over a period of three weeks.

"They welcomed the decision to intervene because the premier, Job Mokgoro, told them that it’s with immediate effect. After communicating the decision to them, he said it’s with effect from that moment. Now we were saying to them, because the premier has decided together with the MEC for Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA), Ontlametse Mochware, that this intervention should happen, we appealed to them saying while this is happening let them allow the children to go back to school and let them allow the clinics to re-open."

Ngesi says the invoked section 10(2) states that the Premier may, subject to the provisions of this Act and the Constitution, and with due observation of the tradition applicable in a traditional community, take such steps as may be necessary to ensure the due performance of the functions referred to in subsection(1).

He says, on the other hand, Section 9(3) states that the Premier may take such steps, not inconsistent with this Act, to ensure proper administration and good governance by traditional councils.

On Tuesday Mokgoro addressed a community meeting in Ramokokastad and told them that he will be immediately invoking the Traditional Leadership and Governance Act (2 of 2005) as an intervention measure following the standoff.

Mokgoro told the community that the intervention measures to be put in place would involve the appointment of investigators with clear terms of references relating to issues raised regarding the administration and good governance.

Meanwhile, the Premier Thursday announced the establishment of an Exco Task Team set to inspect and deal with the sporadic violent public protests in the province.

Premier Mokgoro’s decision comes in the wake of an increase in violent protests in the province, which often lead to the destruction and torching of public and private properties. Property in Mathibestad at the Moretele Local Municipality in Bojanala district, that includes Rustenburg, was on Wednesday set alight by angry residents who are complaining about service delivery.


OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane

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