BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The Democratic Alliance in the North West lambasted the decision taken by the provincial government in dealing with Kopela issue. DA provincial spokesperson in education, Dr Tutu Faleni said: “We are concern with steps taken by the provincial government in resolving the ongoing service delivery protests stand-off in Kopela village near Delareyville. We have been informed that the government has sought a court interdict to coerce the community of Kopela to allow their children to go back to school.”

The residents of Kopela compelled their children not to go to school since August this year. The community demanded to see the MEC for education, Wendy Matsemela and public works MEC, Madoda Sambatha before sending their kids back to school.

Faleni said: “We support the residents of Kopela in their quest for proper roads, water and electricity. However, we strongly condemn any action that hinders children’s right of learning. We recognize the importance of the courts in resolving disputes by enforcing laws in a fair and rational manner. However, the government should have exhausted all other alternatives before approaching the court. The court interdict is a clear indication of the ANC-led government’s conked out relationship with the community,” he said.

According to Faleni, the community leaders have now approached the DA asking an interdepartmental team consisting of the department of education, public works, and the Premier’s office to establish a task team to find solutions.

“We urge premier Supra Mahumapelo to put his citizens first and establish the interdepartmental team as requested by the community. He must put other alternative dispute mechanism in place which will restore the broken relationship between government and the community of Kopela.

“We have the best track-record of service delivery where we govern. It is the same vision that we want to bring to the North West. DA wants a clean and efficient government with transparency.” Faleni said.

The provincial education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “The department decided to go legal route because what the community in Kopela doing is infringement of pupils’ rights. Some of community members were served with court interdict so that they can stop interfering with school processes. We have relocated Grade 12s from Kopela to other alternative locations so that they can be able to write their matric final examinations.”

-TDN

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