'Apartheid tactics used' – March and March accuse police at Addington Primary anti-foreigner protest
The March and March Movement (MAM) has intensified its criticism of police conduct at Addington Primary School, alleging that law enforcement deliberately escalated tensions during a recent protest and traumatised parents and learners.
In a statement released on Thursday, the group said it was “horrified, outraged and flabbergasted by the unprovoked implementation of apartheid tactics by the South African Police Service (Saps) displayed at Addington Primary School on Wednesday.”
The group reiterated claims that government policies, particularly within the Department of Basic Education, are disadvantaging South African citizens in favour of foreign nationals.
Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, chairperson of the education and health subcommittee for the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal, said the matter had been extensively discussed within the party and that solutions were being sought.
“We would like to request the citizens of our country to make schools centres of learning and teaching,” Dhlomo said.
He further raised concerns about the psychological impact of the protests on pupils, particularly younger learners.
“Right now, we are getting reports that we should assist and support some of the younger pupils with counselling because some of the issues that they witnessed last week were things they should not have been exposed to,” he said.
Dhlomo emphasised that disputes should be handled away from school premises to avoid disrupting education.
“If there are issues to be handled, let it be not in areas where there is learning and teaching to disturb,” he said, adding that, “The school is currently at full capacity with 1,548 learners. Of those, 968 are South African citizens.”
Despite its strong criticism of the authorities, MAM insisted that it does not support violence or vigilantism and remains committed to lawful protest.
It welcomed confirmation from the Department of Education that teaching and learning at the school had not been disrupted.
“Our movement is not a vigilante group, it abides by the laws of the Republic and in its endeavour to vindicate the rights of the neglected South African citizens, it has and it will never utilise violent tactics,” MAM said.
The group accused police leadership on the ground of intentionally inflaming the situation, claiming the objective was to intimidate poor communities rather than maintain order.
IOL has reached out to the police for comment.
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