Charges laid against SADTU official who tried to run Mazibuko down

Today I laid criminal charges against a senior South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) official for attempting to run Democratic Alliance (DA) Parliamentary Leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko over with a car.

Ms Mazibuko was walking in solidarity with learners from Mbekweni village, Whittlesea, to their school 12km away on Friday morning.

Charges of reckless driving and intent to do grievous bodily harm were laid against the Chairperson of SADTU's Hewu-branch, Honjiswa Mrebi, at the Humeswood police station in Port Elizabeth.

Now that charges have been laid, the focus must be put back on the real issue. Every morning thousands of Eastern Cape learners are waking up to walk distances of up to 20km to get to school.

SADTU's reaction to Ms Mazibuko's solidarity walk is a symptom of the union's aggressive attitude to people with genuine concerns about the impact that difficulties like transport and strikes has on learners.

The union should not be allowed to act as the security for the shortcomings of the education system.

In the meantime, Eastern Cape Education Department, superintendent-general, Modidima Mannya, has accepted the DA's request for an internal investigation into Ms Mrwebi's behaviour.

I have also personally contacted Education MEC Mandla Makupula. This incident is unacceptable and the DA expects the MEC to take action.

Ms Mazibuko will certainly not be intimidated by SADTU and neither will the DA in the Eastern Cape. We will keep putting the education issue on the agenda until the circumstances affecting thousands of children are taken seriously and dealt with.

Statement issued by Edmund van Vuuren MPL, DA Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson, April 16 2012

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