DA and FF Plus Lock Horns Over Matric Exam Safety in the Western Cape

Political showdown over safety during exams

The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and Democratic Alliance (DA) are at odds in the Western Cape Legislature over a sensitive issue: how to keep matric pupils safe during exam season. The FF Plus tabled a motion calling for extra protection for learners, particularly in high-risk communities like the Cape Flats. The DA, however, voted against it, sparking accusations that politics has been placed above pupil safety.

FF Plus provincial leader Grant Marais argued the motion was necessary because pupils often leave school premises earlier during exams, making them more vulnerable. “Children from underprivileged communities live in fear every day due to gang violence, with a high likelihood of innocent pupils being caught in the crossfire,” Marais said.

The deeper issue: inequality in education

For the FF Plus, this is about more than just immediate safety. The party believes unchecked violence worsens educational inequality by making learning conditions harsher for poor communities. “A learning environment marked by violent crime creates educational inequalities that undermine these pupils’ academic prospects,” Marais explained.

The party accused the DA of hypocrisy, noting that while the ruling party rejected the motion, it later called for a debate on rising shootings across the province. “Children’s safety and security should never be used as a political pawn,” Marais insisted.

DA pushes back

The DA dismissed claims it was indifferent to pupil safety. Premier Alan Winde’s office clarified that the objection was not to the idea of the motion but to its lack of a costed plan. “The Western Cape Provincial Parliament cannot agree to motions without any budget or plan attached to the motion,” said Winde’s spokesperson, Regan Thaw. The motion, according to the DA, will now be placed on the order paper for proper debate.

Local context: a province on edge

The debate comes at a tense time. Communities on the Cape Flats continue to grapple with gang violence that regularly spills over into schools and residential areas. Parents and pupils have long expressed fears about safety when learners travel to and from schools, particularly during the exam season when schedules shift.

Social media reactions mirrored these concerns. Some parents accused politicians of “bickering while kids are caught in the crossfire,” while others urged government to focus less on debates and more on deploying police or community safety patrols.

What this clash really means

At its heart, the DA–FF Plus clash raises tough questions: how do we balance financial planning with urgent safety needs, and what does it say about political priorities when children’s safety is used as a bargaining chip?

For matriculants preparing to sit for one of the most important milestones of their lives, this debate is not about party politics, it’s about whether they can walk home without fear.

{Source: The Citizen}

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