The IFP demands that the KZN MEC of Education, Peggy Nkonyeni must present a real plan to keep schools safe after a grade 12 learner shot another in class before turning the gun onto himself at Qantayi High School in Port Dunford as more guns are not the answer.
“Once again, an innocent person was killed in part because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no trouble in getting their hands on a gun and bring it into school. We need to prevent these incidents before they happen. This needs a coordinated approach that includes a more sensible weapons policy as well as more psychological services, more school counselors, and collaboration with law enforcement and other social service agencies for early identification and assessment of people who might pose threats to school and community safety. We all have a role to play in encouraging people to seek help when they need it,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, MPL.
“We limit the number of rounds in deer hunting to five. We limit the number of rounds in duck hunting to three so that we can protect our wildlife but we don’t limit the number of rounds to protect our children and our citizens. It makes no sense. It is not good enough to simply show sympathy for the victims of mass shootings, we call for a sense of urgency in restricting access to guns,” continued Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
“We should never have to worry that when we drop our children off at school, we will have to pick them up at the hospital or see them in the mortuary. The time has come to end the deadly experiment of disarming peaceable, law-abiding citizens near schools. We call for a national moment of soul-searching over gun violence. The IFP calls for tighter gun controls and the installation of CCTV cameras in schools,” concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
The IFP suggests that schools should restructure themselves to provide a curriculum with special programs that teach teachers and students how to cope with students with violent tendencies. Students need to be empowered in conflict resolution and know that violence is not the answer. This not only helps schools become orderly and peaceful places in which high-quality education can take place but also improves community life.
Issued by:
IFP KZN Education Spokesperson,
Mrs Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa, MPL, 071 884 3844 or 079 114 3015
Media enquiries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase, IFP KZN Legislature Media Liaison Officer, 073 024 5675