A total of 62 Zimbabwean children who were attending illegal schools in Fisantekraal under poor conditions, have been removed in an operation led by Durbanville police.

Three educators, also from Zimbabwe, were arrested and detained by the police under the South African Schools Act and the Immigration Act 13 of 2003 in the multi-disciplinary-intelligence-led operation on Wednesday 27 May.

House rented out to foreigners

According to Col Gonum Munsamy, station commander of Durbanville police, information was received that a house in Greenville allocated for human settlement, was rented out to undocumented foreign nationals who were operating illegal schools.

“Through investigation, Durbanville police confirmed that houses that were intended for human habitation were being used as business premises to operate illegal schools in Fisantekraal.

“The children were removed with the assistance of the department of social development to a place of safety,” Munsamy said.

She expressed her gratitude to the local proportional councillor, officials of the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement department, department of social development and immigrations, as well as Wendy Bosse from Olympians Social Development and Education, a local community-based organisation.

One toilet for 62 children

Bosse said to TygerBurger the children of 6 to 17 years were accommodated in the house, as well as in a shack across the road. “There was only one bathroom and one toilet for all of them. There were no ventilation or electricity,” she said. The parents allegedly paid about R700 per month for their children’s education. 

“The children were moved to the community hall in Fisantekraal, where they were reunited with their parents with the assistance of social workers from the department of social development.

“Parents were informed on the school’s WhatsApp group to collect their children. While in the safe space, the children were kept entertained by library staff and received sandwiches and cooldrinks,” she said.

Complete applications

“Olympians Social Development and Education has already started the process to help the parents to complete applications into approved schools. The Durbanville police are assisting the parents with the copies and certifying of the necessary documentation. 

“We have already met with the education department to discuss the process that will be followed to place the learners into the correct grades in acceptable schools,” she said.

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