Call for severe penalties for school vandalism in KwaZulu-Natal
DA MPL Sakhile Mngadi has called for action to be taken against those responsible for vandalising school property.
Image: Supplied
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal has called for severe penalties for those caught vandalising school property.
The party was speaking following a viral social media post showing pupils vandalising their school in uMlazi.
DA spokesperson on Education, Sakhile Mngadi, stated that the DA calls on provincial Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, and his department to send a clear message that criminality, in the form of school vandalism, will have severe consequences.
The call comes after recent appalling acts of vandalism by learners at Mzwamandla High School in uMlazi, which have since been widely circulated on social media.
Mngadi said the DA condemned such conduct in the strongest terms.
He said the destruction of school property is not only an attack on the institution; it is a direct assault on the future of those learners who depend on it for their education.
“We welcome the swift intervention of the Mzwamandla School management Team (SMT) and commend law enforcement for the prompt arrest of those implicated. Learners must understand that schools are places of learning and empowerment, not spaces for chaos and destruction. Acts of criminality will not be tolerated,” he said.
Mngadi emphasised the need for MEC Hlomuka and his department to take a strong stand. “This is critical not only to protect the integrity of our schools but also to ensure that learners remain focused on their studies, particularly as we head towards the final term of the academic year. As a partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will continue to advocate for safe, functional, and disciplined schools across our province,” he added.
In a statement, the department expressed shock and disappointment at the recent incident of school vandalism allegedly committed by learners from Mzwamandla High School in the Phumelela CMC under the Umlazi District.
“Our core focus as the Department of Education is to provide quality education, instil discipline in our learners, and nurture them into responsible citizens. This criminal and ill-disciplined behaviour, including carrying weapons to school, will not be tolerated. Of even greater concern is that this act was recorded and circulated on social media, glorifying negative behaviour,” said MEC Hlomuka.
The MEC commended the school management for taking swift and decisive action, which led to the arrest of the implicated learners. Moreover, the perpetrators will face internal disciplinary processes in line with the school code of conduct administered by the School Governing Body.