Statement by Leonard Ramatlakane, Western Cape Community Safety Minister

Having been drawn in late yesterday into the situation in which education officials were held hostage at the Khanyolwethu High School in the Strand, I condemn the actions of the Community Leaders and warned that were it not for the appeals of Education Minister, André Gaum, and negotiators who wanted a positive outcome in an amicable fashion; the police would not have allowed the situation to have gone that far.

The practice of holding people against their will and their constitutional rights is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Hostage taking is illegal and therefore a crime, and everybody stands warned that such activities where people are taken hostage as bargaining tools are not going to be allowed. Negotiations and bargains must happen in conditions that are conducive without anybody held against their will.

The police will act when necessary to secure the release of hostages. If there's anybody hoping to keep people hostage to bargain for something, it will be the responsibility of the police to see to it that hostages are released immediately, and possible charges investigated against hostage takers.