SIDWELL - PROTESTORS SERVED WITH LAWYERS LETTER FROM HIGH COURT

THE Department of Education has taken the legal route to evict a group of people, including ANC MPL Christian Martin, who have been sleeping in the auditorium at the institution’s district offices in Sidwell for the past 12 days.

The group was slapped with a lawyer’s letter which was served by the sheriff of the high court on Thursday.

Yesterday, they were also served with a letter instructing them to appear in court by March 12.

Most members of the group said they would be leaving the department, fearing a hefty cost order as a result of the court action.

However, some members – including Martin – said they intended to remain at the department despite the court intervention. Martin said he was disappointed that the department had moved so quickly to take legal action as “they did not lift a finger to get pupils back into the classroom”.

The group – comprising concerned parents, residents and members of the Schauder Korsten Action Committee, Northern Areas Education Committee and David Stuurman ANC constituency – have been sleeping at the department since last Monday.

The group of about 50 people have been sleeping in the auditorium although parents in the northern areas have voted in favour of reopening schools despite crippling teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms.

Martin said: “I feel disappointed. They did nothing to get children back in schools. I opened a criminal case, wrote to the Public Protector and the Human Rights Commission. What was the cost involved in going to the high court?

What are they paying the lawyers involved when there is still not a teacher in front of every class? They had three weeks to do something, but they did not lift a finger.”

Martin said he had received the instruction to go to court and would be going. Meanwhile another member of the group, Marlon Daniels, said he would be leaving the department.

“They are bullying us to leave the department and it proves that they are embarrassed by us. “I am really sad because I feel as if we have failed in meeting our objectives.

Children have returned to school, but they still do not have their teachers. Sending them back was a premature and ill-informed decision. The ANC does not want to take responsibility for this mess,” he said.

He said they would wait for the outcome of a meeting on the education crisis tomorrow before “taking further steps”. The sheriff’s letter said the group was posing a health risk.

“You and the other occupiers of the premises have not only staged a sit-in of the premises to meet your undefined objectives but have used the premises to sleep at, cook meals, hang laundry from a makeshift washing line and to make use of the ablution facilities as bathing facilities, thereby posing a health risk .

Some occupiers have also openly and unashamedly exposed their unclad bodies,” the letter states.

According to Daniels, the group have eaten takeaways but have also cooked at the department, using a gas braai.

“At one stage, a member sat outside and took his shirt off. “Another member of our group, Khoi San SA, also has children at one of the schools.

He came dressed in animal skins which make up his traditional wear.

“Some department employees even asked to take a picture with him,” Daniels said.

VIA - heraldlive.co.za