An increase in gang violence in the Manenberg area has resulted in 14 schools being forced to close their doors on Thursday and Friday. According to the Western Cape education department the increased gang activity placed teacher’s and learner’s lives at risk.

Spokesperson Bronagh Casey said:

There has been an increase in gang violence in the last few weeks … bullets went into a classroom at one school … two gang members went onto the premises of another school.

There have been some deaths in the community but none among pupils.

Some of our educators have reported to the Metro Central District office for duty instead of their schools.

A meeting will be held with the Western Cape government and schools to determine an action plan.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille wrote an open letter to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa asking for army assistance in the area.

The management [of] … violence in the Manenberg area goes well beyond the capacity of an education department … Our schools and the department therefore rely on South African Police Service to ensure order within our communities so that our school system can function as normal and our educators and learners are kept safe.

Over 50 people have been wounded or killed in gunfire over the past couple of weeks,” she said.

Principals at Manenberg schools say that absenteeism has increased dramatically due to ongoing gang violence … teachers at Sonderend primary school have reported that only about 200 of 900 learners attended school last week.

The increased gang activity could be a result of an announcement that notorious gang leader Rashied Staggie will be let out on day parole according to Manenberg Community Police Forum spokesman, Kader Jacobs.

[Source: Mail&Guardian, iOL]