The North West education department ventured into Khutsong on Thursday under police protection to act against teachers supporting ongoing class boycotts.
Spokesperson Charles Raseala said three teachers and a principal were notified of their suspension, while 10 other teachers from various schools were asked to explain their actions.
”The letters to this lot were to ask them to explain why they should not be charged with misconduct and why they did not attend a meeting to discuss the situation,” he said.
The teachers have 48 hours to reply.
Department officials were not received warmly, said Raseala, giving credence to warnings that they may need protection on entering the volatile area.
”They were supposed to go [to deliver the letters] yesterday [Wednesday], but we were advised that their lives might be in danger … they were met with abusive language and heckled when they delivered them this morning.”
He expressed concern that pupils were missing out on ”precious” time in the classroom.
”We doing all we can, but it’s a much broader problem … they have been out of the class since April 12, a solid two weeks. As the department, we have a responsibility [to them],” he said.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union on Thursday said it was ”dismayed” by the department’s decision to suspend the four teachers who apparently supported the class boycotts in the township near Carletonville.
”The attempt to force these teachers to act against the will of the community is both insensitive and places those teachers at risk,” the union said in a statement.
The department last week warned teachers that it would take action after they joined pupils in abandoning classes to protest against the incorporation of the Merafong municipality into North West. Parts of the municipality previously fell under Gauteng.
Youths took to the streets, barricading roads, stoning passing vehicles and robbing motorists.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Louis Jacobs said the area remained calm on Thursday.
”The last incidents reported were last week Friday,” he said. — Sapa