These were the violent scenes that broke out last week outside a local school, not the reception for the President’s task team…

Last week 2oceansVibe reported on the tense situation in sleepy Overberg dorpie, Grabouw. Residents from the black and coloured communities in the town were at each others’ throats over schooling deficiencies in the town, including massive overcrowding at schools in the areas where both groups reside, and an apparent arson attack carried out at Groenkloof Secondary, a school predominantly attended by children from the coloured community.

Now, in response to the simmering tensions in the town, the Presidency is sending a task team to assist local authorities resolve the issues facing both communities. This is an unusual undertaking by the Powers That Be in Pretoria, that should/would usually be carried out by the Provincial Government, currently under DA-administration. Planning Commission Minister Trevor Manuel has sent his adviser, Cameron Dugmore, to meet a community task team in the town.

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.

Violence broke out last week when both groups allegedly carried out attacks on the “other’s” school, and some residents were assaulted. Though no further attacks have been carried out, and several residents were to appear in the local Magistrates Court this week, tensions are still running high.

[Source: News 24]