Given that the situation at Naphakade Secondary school remains volatile, I have requested that the WCED seeks an urgent interdict to limit access onto the premises of both Naphakade Secondary and Naphakade Primary School to the officials of the WCED only.

We feel that there was a need to obtain an interdict to ensure that the security of educators and learners is guaranteed.

After the violent events of yesterday and today, I have also decided that both schools should be closed until Monday, 19 April 2010. The reasons for this decision is, first and foremost, to ensure the safety of our learners, and secondly, to prevent any further damage to the school.

It is deeply regrettable that this decision has had to be taken. But we are determined to ensure that an agreement is reached as soon as possible to resolve this issue so that learning and teaching can continue.

Therefore, I have instructed senior officials to meet with the various roleplayers in Malmesbury to reach an agreement that will be in the best interests of all concerned.

I would like to reiterate that a new school has already been budgeted for and we are now in the process of negotiating the acquisition of that site. We are determined to ensure that the new school opens at the beginning of 2012.

I would also like to emphasise that we will not, under any circumstances, be forced by communities to change our infrastructure development plans in response to violent actions.

I appeal to all concerned to put the best interests of the learners first and to ensure that learning is able to take place in a peaceful and secure environment.

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