SAHRC investigation reveals learners rights violated in the EC

Lusanda Bill

04 September 2014

The South African Human Rights Commission through its investigation into scholar transport in the Eastern Cape, has found that the rights of learners were violated. 

A complaint was laid to the commission back in 2013 by then Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Leader Lindiwe Mazibuko.  She stated that learners had to walk log distances to school in order to access education. 

However, the learners were provided transport in previous years but it was suspended without notice.

SAHRC’s Isaac Mangena said we found that the failure by both the Department of Education and the Department of Transport to provide transport to the learners violated Section 29 of the Constitution which talks about the right to education.

Meanwhile the commission through its investigation further found that the availability of transport to learners at these schools was not adequate and, in some instances, non existent.

The commission has called for immediate action concerning this matter.

Mangena said we have recommended the both departments shout review the memorandum of understanding to basically rework to make provision of scholar transport.

“Also we want by tomorrow at least we have transport that will be able to take learners to school while we wait for a long-term plan that will ensure that come early January next year learners have scholar transport that is available to them” Mangena added.