OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

BLACK LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

P.O Box 775 SIBASA 0970
President: lutendo@mrsinc.co.za
LEGAL EDUCATION CENTRE:
33 Hoofd Street, Forum VII Braampark, Braamfontein, 2017
Tel: (015) 962 0712 Cel: (082) 369 2017

Established in 1977

BLACK LAWYERS ASSOCIATION CONDEMNS THE BURNING

OF SCHOOLS IN VUWANI AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
The reports that, as on Friday the 06th day of May 2016, about 23 schools
were either completely or partly damaged by fire allegedly by some of the
people who are opposed to the inclusion of their area to the newly
established local municipality in the Vhembe district municipality area is a
source of grave concern to the Black Lawyers Association (BLA). The BLA
condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the burning down of school
buildings and other infrastructure in Vuwani and the surrounding villages.
This is an act of pure criminality which cannot be condoned in any manner
whatsoever. Burning down of schools adversely affects the childrens right
of access to basic education as is guaranteed under section 29 of the
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. No one should be allowed to
arbitrarily interfere with the right to education. What is concerning even
more is that at stake is the fate of a black child.

BLA cannot afford to stand aside and watch when thousands of black and
rural school children are being denied their right to access to a basic
education. These children will lose out in their school time and risk to lose
their future as well. Education is the key to enjoyment of all other rights
promised in the Constitution for without proper education all other rights
remain a dream.
National Executive Council: Mr. Lutendo Benedict Sigogo (President), Mr. Mashudu Kutama (Deputy
President), Ms. Baitseng Rangata (General Secretary), Ms. Zanele Nkosi (Deputy Secretary General), Mr. Lulama
Lobi (Treasurer), Mr. Mongezi Mpahlwa (Additional Member), Mr. Vuyo Morobane (Additional Member), Pritzman
Busani Mabunda (Ex Officio Member) and President of BLA Student Chapter (Ex Officio Member).

BLA does not condemn strikes which are conducted within the ambit of the
law. A strike should respect the rights and properties of others. As such we
recognise the rights of the people to strike. But in as much as we recognise
the right of people to strike or protest we denounce the burning down of
schools and residence of other residents. Burning down of schools will never
be a solution to any of the problems affecting the communities concerned.
This has problems of its own because post the strike the affected children
will be left with no appropriate learning facilities. This is even worse
because Limpopo Province is known for its bad Matriculation results.

We believe that those who are behind this barbaric conduct do not have the
blessings of the organisers of the strike nor do they enjoy the support of the
Vuwani community. These are the criminals who are abusing the Vuwani
situation. We call upon the law enforcement agencies to hunt them down
until they bring all of them in the book. Torching of schools during the night
is a clear indication that the perpetrators are criminals who are indulging in
their coward criminal activities.

We commend the Pro Makhado task team and the traditional leaders who
deemed it important to take a lead in this matter and referred their disputes
to the court of law for appropriate adjudication. To BLA this is very
important because they showed faith in our judiciary and entrusted it with
their disputes, to solve. This promotes the rule of law. We encourage them to
take their case to the next level of the courts hierarchy if they are not
satisfied by the decision of the Limpopo Provincial Division. And we call
upon them to also denounce all the criminal activities which are being
pursued in the name of their strike.
National Executive Council: Mr. Lutendo Benedict Sigogo (President), Mr. Mashudu Kutama (Deputy
President), Ms. Baitseng Rangata (General Secretary), Ms. Zanele Nkosi (Deputy Secretary General), Mr. Lulama
Lobi (Treasurer), Mr. Mongezi Mpahlwa (Additional Member), Mr. Vuyo Morobane (Additional Member), Pritzman
Busani Mabunda (Ex Officio Member) and President of BLA Student Chapter (Ex Officio Member).

End.

_____________________
Lutendo Benedict Sigogo
President: BLA
09 May 2016

National Executive Council: Mr. Lutendo Benedict Sigogo (President), Mr. Mashudu Kutama (Deputy
President), Ms. Baitseng Rangata (General Secretary), Ms. Zanele Nkosi (Deputy Secretary General), Mr. Lulama
Lobi (Treasurer), Mr. Mongezi Mpahlwa (Additional Member), Mr. Vuyo Morobane (Additional Member), Pritzman
Busani Mabunda (Ex Officio Member) and President of BLA Student Chapter (Ex Officio Member).