REPORTS from Kwa-Zulu Natal province have confirmed that more than 50 schools, two circuit offices and two education centres were hit as violence spread across the province.

According to the provincial education departmental spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, the schools were looted, torched and damaged, showing however, that they have not been able to estimate the extent of the damage and the number of schools involved.

Mr Mahlambi said what matters the most is the children’s education, adding however, that this constitutional concern for the welfare of our children is of no value if the adults, who are supposed to honour and protect the best interests of children, trample these interests at will as the protests have resumed.

The National Teachers’ Organisation of SA (Naptosa) said it was sickened by images of a school in Kwazulu-Natal burned to the ground, with the reason apparently being that people were looking for food.
“Equally shocking is the great number of schools that have been looted. Stealing objects and equipment from a school is contemptible, but stealing the future of innocent children and disrupting their lives is unforgivable,” the union said.