Mmusi Maimane launches petition against ‘gambling with children’s lives’

One SA Movement leader Mmusi Maimane has launched a petition to keep schools shut after basic education minister Angie Motshekga’s announcement that schools across the country would reopen in June.

Motshekga announced on Tuesday evening that schools would reopen for grade 7 and 12 pupils on June 1.

The former DA leader said the launch of the petition was to send a “strong message” to the government that they could not make “rushed, ill-advised and half-baked decisions” that could affect the safety and health of children.

“Section 28(2) of our constitution states that 'a child's best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child' and we believe the minister gave very little reassurance that her decision adheres to this fundamental right," Maimane told the Daily Dispatch's sister publication, TimesLIVE on Wednesday.

“The truth is that the politicians who make these decisions are too afraid to return to parliament but happy to send millions of children into crowded classrooms together – many without water and basic infrastructure. It's unacceptable,” he said. 

Maimane said the goal of the petition was to give a voice to ordinary South Africans, including teachers, parents, principals and school governing bodies.

By midday on Wednesday the petition had 21,000 signatories.

“Once our petition has enough support, we will deliver it to Minister Motshekga and President [Cyril] Ramaphosa,” said Maimane.

Meanwhile, the ANC welcomed the move to reopen schools.

ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, said the party believed schools would be ready by June 1.

“The success of the safety plans in schools will also depend on the cooperation of stakeholders in the sector, including all citizens particularly in public spaces such as buses, taxis, trains on the way to work and back

“It is also encouraging that the department has profiled its workforce to protect employees with comorbidities for their own protection against the Covid-19 infection,” he said.

Mabe also condemned the vandalism of schools during the lockdown and called on communities to work with law enforcement agencies to curb it.

More than 1,500 schools have been vandalised since the national lockdown on March 26 with Vukuhambe Special School in Mdantsane being one of the schools targeted by vandals.

Mabe said: “We cannot allow wanton destruction of public assets in this manner especially if it affects negatively the future of young people.”