More than 500 woman from the Khutsong Women’s Forum marched to the local police station on Friday to call on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to intervene in the ongoing unrest in Khutsong.
Spokesperson for the forum Pearl Khanyile said they had asked SAHRC chairperson Jody Kollapen to accept the memorandum but ended up handing it to the police when Kollapen failed to arrive.
”We are dismayed at the continued silence by the SAHRC as the rights of the community have been taken away by the elected few in Parliament,” said Khanyile.
”We are requesting the commission to investigate the gross violation of the human rights of the people of Merafong after the government’s unilateral decision to force the incorporation of Merafong under the North West,” said Khanyile.
Khutsong falls under the Merafong municipality, which was moved from Gauteng to North West under the consolidation of cross-border municipalities.
Khanyile said the march had been strictly for women.
”We are the ones who run the households and, as mothers, it pains us to see our community in ruins and to see our children not going to school. It is clear that as women we have to stand up for ourselves as the government is ignoring us, although everyone can see the pain that this demarcation has brought to our community.”
She said they would wait for Kollapen’s response before taking the issue further.
The move to North West evoked strong criticism and resulted in violent protests from Khutsong residents. Schooling has been disrupted for more than a month.
The Khutsong community is planning to challenge the demarcation in the Constitutional Court, complaining about the lack of consultation.
The Merafong municipality has again called for calm and urged parents to ensure that their children go to school.
”We remain resolute in our call for those who are pro-violence and intimidation not to sacrifice the future of learners in pursuit of a populist agenda,” said municipality spokesperson Seabo Gaeganelwe.
Earlier on Friday North West police said another eight people were arrested in Khutsong for housebreaking and arson.
Superintendent Louis Jacobs said the arrests brought the number of those arrested since Wednesday to 29.
He said they were expected to appear in the Khutsong Magistrate’s Court soon. — Sapa