President Zuma, must put security of Limpopo learners above his Nkandla home
Note to editors: The following is an extract of a speech made by DA Parliamentary Leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, today, while addressing the residents of Ga-Molapo village, outside Polokwane in Limpopo during a solidarity walk with the learners of Sebitja High School.
Today I have come to walk in solidarity with and bring national attention to the plight of the learners of Sebitja High School in Ga-Molapo. In acts of unspeakable horror, four leaners from Sebitja High School in Ga-Molapo Village have been raped walking to, and from school in the last two years. This has happened because of the dangerous pathway that they have to take to get to school.
The most recent victim of rape was a 13 year old girl in Grade 8 at this school, who was assaulted in April this year.
No arrests have been made, and, in fact, the young learner recently saw the man who raped her on her way to school in August. When this was reported to the local police no action was taken. She still attends the same school and still uses the same route.
It is difficult to comprehend the trauma that these four children have endured and continue to endure. First and foremost, the local authority must ensure that these children and their families receive on going counselling and all the support they need.
To the families that I will meet, I can only simply say this: your scars will take long to heal, and my party, the Democratic Alliance, stands in solidarity with you, at this difficult time.
It goes without saying that the state's most important obligation is to take to care of our children. Child rape - as with all cases of sexual assault - has increased in recent years, and, quite frankly, no clemency can be shown to those who perpetuate these vile acts. Our compassion and empathy lies with the victims. Unless we deal decisively with this social evil, and prioritise these prosecutions in the criminal justice system, perpetuators will believe that they can act with impunity. Too often, these crimes do not even get reported or are not taken seriously when they are.
Once again, these dastardly deeds underline the gap between the human-rights inspired constitution, and the dire reality on the ground for many South Africans. As always, it is the poorer and marginalised communities that are worse affected by crime. We know that these acts are committed daily across South Africa; one of the most violent societies in the world with one of the highest levels of sexual assault against women and children.
We cannot allow for this to go unanswered.
The DA will be taking the following steps to address the plight of the children of Ga-Molapo:
I will write to the National Police Commissioner, Rhiya Phiyega, and request that she prioritise an increase of visible policing in the village particularly in the route which learners must use daily to walk to and from school;
We will submit a question in Parliament to the Ministers of Police and Justice and Constitutional Development, to establish the current status of investigations and into the assaults which have been reported to police and determine why nothing has happened as of yet; and,
I will write to the mayor of the Capricorn District Municipality to request that this pathway be cleared to prevent any future attacks
Some of this work was done this past Friday on news of my arrival.
The learners of Limpopo deserve the same level of security as the government is affording President Zuma at his private home in Nkandla.
According to the projected spending on Mr Zuma's Nkandla home, there are entire barracks for police in addition to the president's VIP protection unit. While there is no real and present danger at Nkandla , it is clear what danger the children of Ga-Molapo are in.
Mr Zuma's private home has 20 houses for security guards, underground parking, a helicopter pad, ¬playgrounds and a visitors' ¬centre.
The Department of Public Works has confirmed that it is spending R36 million on security-related construction work. This includes 10 houses for air force personnel, and 10 houses for South African Police (SAPS).
Should the president's or his family's security be threatened, they will be able to enter underground bunkers through a 200m-long tunnel running from under the helicopter pad to the main house. There, lifts will swiftly lift them out of harm.
If only the children of Ga-Molapo, were considered as precious to the government.
South Africa is, without doubt, one country divided into "two nations".
The DA in this province has also taken a number of steps. We have written to the MEC of Education, Mr Namane Dickson Masemola, to highlight the plight of these children. To date, nothing has been done, and we have not received a response. This is a scandalous dereliction of duty, and he must address this issue immediately. He owes the children, the parents and the school an apology.
By way of background, from Ga-Molapo, learners need to walk about 5 kilometres, through the bushes to the school.
About 300 learners navigate these bushes from the village every day to come to school. The school has around 800 learners in total. Therefore, a tragedy, in all probability, is likely to strike again soon.
Despite the tragedies which have come before, the Sebitja High School remains the favourite school in the village. The school achieved a matric pass rate last year of 69%, placing it at second place in the Lepelle District. Poor performing schools often make the headlines. Well performing schools rarely do, and teachers usually get the rap. We salute the dedication of the teachers in this school in difficult circumstances, and know they will be anxious to protect the school's reputation.
The DA will do everything in our powers to ensure that the evil of child rape is stamped out in South Africa. Today we bow our heads, and stand shoulder to shoulder with this community. Your sorrow is our sorrow, and your pain is our pain.
Issued by the DA, November 5 2012
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