News24 | Two women assaulted as community bars teachers, pupils from attending North West village schools

The North West Education Department spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane, confirmed that the two women teachers from Dingateng and Mathateng primary schools were assaulted in Masamane Village while they were on their way to school on Wednesday.

• Two teachers have been assaulted in the North West.
• The women were allegedly targeted by angry community members while they were on their way to school.
• The area has had two months of schooling disruptions.

Two women were assaulted this week when angry Masamane Village residents barred teachers and pupils from attending schools in the North West village amid protests over grievances.

The assaults occurred amid a two-month schooling disruption in the North West.

North West education department spokesperson Mphata Molokwane said the two women, who are teachers at Dingateng and Mathateng Primary Schools, were attacked while they were on their way to school on Wednesday.

"This barbaric incident follows the two months of no schooling at Masamane Village due to the allegations of incorrect appointment of the educators' assistants and general assistants at Masamane Primary School," Molokwane said.

Also among the reasons for the shutdown was a water shortage that affected flushing toilets.

Molokwane said temporary toilets were sourced and water tanks were filled with water on Monday. In addition, a borehole is being installed.

Molokwane added:

Education MEC Viola Motsumi said: "As the department and education community, a slap to one educator is a slap to all of us. I will make sure the mighty hand of the law deals with them. We are celebrating the efforts of our educators this month, and we rally behind them being celebrated by the community. Thus barbarism ends now."

The two staff members will receive counselling and a community meeting has been called for Thursday.

Earlier this year, learning at five schools in the province were disrupted over water shortages in Welbedacht, near Zeerust.

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Protesters blocked roads and schooling was disrupted at Ngotwane Secondary, Mesega Primary, Babuseng Primary, RB Dithupe Primary and DP Moloto Special Schools.

Protesters also reportedly threatened teachers.