Port Elizabeth - Rocks were hurled at a News24 reporter in Standford Road in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. Police vans patrolled a section of the road, and every time they drove past homes overlooking the road, children pelted the vehicles. As this reporter was filming one such incident, the children turned their attention to him. "Wat doen die man? Hy moet f*kof [What is that man doing? He must f*ck off]," one yelled before throwing a stone in his direction. Some children … [Read more...] about Rocks hurled at #NorthernAreas reporter
northern areas
Counting the cost of #NorthernAreas Protests
Port Elizabeth - While schools in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth will still be closed on Tuesday, no violent protests will take place, says the Northern Areas Education Forum. "The principals are meeting the department at 14:00 tomorrow [Tuesday]. They will provide documents and evidence that they submitted to the department [in terms of] of vacancies that they are filling," the forum's secretary Richard Draai told News24. He said the forum would also meet with the education MEC … [Read more...] about Counting the cost of #NorthernAreas Protests
#NorthernAreas schools to remain closed
Port Elizabeth - Three important meetings will be held today to discuss the placement of teachers in schools in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth following violent protests by residents. Residents began protesting in the early hours of Monday morning because of a shortage of teachers at the schools in the area. Roads were blocked, cars were stoned and a Daily Sun journalist was hit over the head and robbed during the violent protest. Police fired rubber bullets and teargas to … [Read more...] about #NorthernAreas schools to remain closed
Videos from the #NorthernAreas Protest
Protests against teacher shortages swept across the northern areas today. The protests apparently stemmed from a call by the Northern Areas Education Forum, which organised parents to shut down 33 schools in the area last week because of unhappiness with the way the provincial education department is dealing with teacher vacancies. The forum's grievances include teacher shortages, alleged misuse of budget allocations and a lack of non-teaching staff at schools. YouTube videos from the … [Read more...] about Videos from the #NorthernAreas Protest
#NorthernAreas community members and police meet
Port Elizabeth - Police have cautioned the public to avoid parts of the Northern Areas, after protests over the teacher allocation at schools in the area turned violent on Monday. Although police said the situation had calmed down, they were keeping a watchful eye should the situation flare up again. According to reports, police and members of the community were locked in discussions to try and reach a solution. Standford Road, Gail Road and 3rd Avenue and also roads between Hartebees … [Read more...] about #NorthernAreas community members and police meet
PE’s #NorthernAreas still smouldering
Port Elizabeth - Kids played with the burning remnants of tyres while others helped to spread smouldering rubbish across Highfield Road in Schauderville, Port Elizabeth, on Monday as protests against teacher shortages swept across the northern areas. The protests apparently stemmed from a call by the Northern Areas Education Forum, which organised parents to shut down 33 schools in the area last week because of unhappiness with the way the provincial education department is dealing with … [Read more...] about PE’s #NorthernAreas still smouldering
PE #NorthernAreas protests are the reaction of a side-lined community
Dear MyPE The DA condemns acts of violence by police and criminal elements who exploited today’s protests and which have led to serious injuries among learners and parents in the Port Elizabeth northern areas. The Police have reacted with violent force against a community that is expressing its deep and profound desperation for the state of education North of Port Elizabeth. For a parent to interrupt and obstruct their child’s education is a last act of desperation, to achieve a better … [Read more...] about PE #NorthernAreas protests are the reaction of a side-lined community
#NorthernAreas protesters will be held accountable
Port Elizabeth - Those responsible for organising Monday morning's protest in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth despite warnings not to, will be held accountable, MP Cedric Frolick warned. Chaos erupted as early morning protests over lack of teachers at schools in the area turned into uncontrolled violent clashes with police. Thick black smoke hung over the Northern Areas this morning as protesters barricaded main roads out of the area with burning tyres since the early hours, forcing … [Read more...] about #NorthernAreas protesters will be held accountable
Live ammo fired at Port Elizabeth protesters
Port Elizabeth - Live ammunition was reportedly fired at protesters in Port Elizabeth’s Northern Areas on Monday. An eNCA reporter, Sandy McCowen, said about seven cartridges had been found and said it was “just mayhem at the moment”. Photos on social media and sent to News24 showed at least two people have been badly injured. Videos and photos on Twitter also showed petrol bombs being made and tyres being burned. This comes as pupils and parents protest over the closure of 33 … [Read more...] about Live ammo fired at Port Elizabeth protesters
Hectic Scenes as rubber bullets and water cannons used on PE protesters #NorthernAreas
Port Elizabeth - Police used rubber bullets and water cannons on protesters in Port Elizabeth’s Northern Areas on Monday. Parents, pupils and taxi associations protested over the closure of 33 schools in the area, an eNCA reporter said. A local woman tweeted that protesters were stoning police and that there had been at least one injury. The schools were shut down because of a number of problems, the main one being a shortage of teachers, the Herald reported. News24 Latest … [Read more...] about Hectic Scenes as rubber bullets and water cannons used on PE protesters #NorthernAreas
Eight ways to curb Northern Areas gangsterism
Dear MyPE The fight against gangsterism in the Port Elizabeth Northern Areas must be treated as a war. It needs one central champion that will implement a multi-disciplinary approach which involves all stakeholders. When I met with the provincial police management last week, with the legislature portfolio committee on safety and security, I raised this matter and pointed out that there needs to be a single champion that bring all the role-players together. The DA believes that the … [Read more...] about Eight ways to curb Northern Areas gangsterism
Gang flare-up in Northern Areas
Port Elizabeth - In the last week at least two people have been killed and several people injured in the crossfire as turf wars between local gangs in the Northern Areas have flared up. On Saturday a 9-year old-boy was shot and killed by a stray bullet in an apparent gang hit gone wrong, while police reported that the body of an 18-year-old male who had been killed in apparent gang retaliation, had been discovered on Wednesday. Other recent incidents include a 10-year-old girl who was hit … [Read more...] about Gang flare-up in Northern Areas
DA spring cleans Northern Areas
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Areas of PE has continued with their excellent work of spring cleaning its wards severely neglected by the municipality. Recent successful clean-ups of wards 12, 37 and 38 were met with much delight from community members. Spearheaded by DA constituency leader for the Northern Areas, Edmund van Vuuren MPL, and ward councillor, Sandra Fillis, the DA embarked on ward 32 for its spring clean this morning. This clean-up initiative in the Northern … [Read more...] about DA spring cleans Northern Areas
Northern Areas Rugby Tournament
Eastern Province Rugby's Port Elizabeth Sub Union has launched a new rugby tournament for clubs in and around the Northern Areas as a response to the current wave of violent gang activity that is sweeping through the area. The tournament, which will be known as the Super 14, will see 14 rugby clubs play against each other in a single round, starting this weekend at the Adcock Stadium and concluding at the end of March. "We chose the Northern Areas deliberately to showcase the brilliant … [Read more...] about Northern Areas Rugby Tournament
Gangsterism is rife in PE northern areas
Dear MyPE This is an extract of a speech delivered by Marshall von Buchenroder (MPL) on behalf of the National Council of Provinces in Parliament yesterday. Honourable Chairperson, on behalf of the Democratic Alliance I hereby wish to move a motion without notice, the Council should note that: Since the 1960's, Helenvale and Gelvandale have been renowned for their high levels of violent crimes and gangsterism due to the social ills of the community. These residents were forced by the … [Read more...] about Gangsterism is rife in PE northern areas
