Protesters ordered to leave education office

THE Department of Education succeeded yesterday in its court application to evict a group of people, including ANC MPL Christian Martin, who have been sleeping in the district offices in Sidwell, Port Elizabeth, for the past 14 days.

While Judge Nozuko Mjali granted an interim order compelling the group to vacate the auditorium of the department’s office it had been occupying since February 8, the group vowed yesterday to return to court on March 12.

The group – comprising concerned parents, residents and members of the Schauder Korsten Action Committee, Northern Areas Education Committee and David Stuurman ANC constituency – has been sleeping at the department’s office to demand a teacher for every classroom.

The about 50 women and men 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.

On Thursday, the group was served with a letter from the sheriff of the high court, ordering it to vacate the premises.

The group ignored the order and opted to oppose the matter in court yesterday. However, Mjali concurred with the department and found that the matter was urgent. She ordered that the group vacate the building.

On March 12 the group has the opportunity to counter the interim order.

The court heard that while the group did intend to oppose the application, it had not filed answering affidavits and other supporting documents within the required time. The group also represented itself in the application.

Following the decision, Martin said outside the Port Elizabeth High Court: “We have done what we could to save our community from things like gangsterism, crime, drug abuse and illiteracy.

“We are going to restrategise somewhere else.”

Another in the group, Stag Mitchell, said: “It’s just another stumbling block. We are more united than ever in getting one teacher for every classroom.

“We still have confidence in the justice system.”

Martin said the group was pleased that the court was now aware of the challenges faced by the schools.

Advocate Gitesh Gajjar, for the department in its application to evict the people, told the court that while the group had valid concerns about the state of education, it did not justify the illegal occupation.