06 June 2001
The South African Communist Party (SACP) supports the call by the ANC Youth League for the pardoning of Andrew Babeile, who has started a 5-year jail sentence following his conviction for stabbing a white pupil at the Vryburg High School in 1999.
It is not in Babeile's interests to serve a jail term. He must be pardoned, rehabilitated and integrated back into the community so that he can finish his education as a basis for a new future for him.
As the SACP we are deeply concerned by reports that Babeile has been banned for life from public schools. Apart from this banning being illegal and unconstitutional, in the context of the Vryburg High School Babeile was actually a victim of racism. The SACP calls on the National Minister and the Provincial MEC for Education to ensure that this ban is reversed. This is not to condone violence in our education system. However Babeile cannot be a lone victim of widespread racism which continues to condemn and victimise black people in our country.
The SACP salutes the community of Huhudi Township, where Babeile comes from, for their struggle in support of Babeile and against racism in Vryburg. The SACP calls on the Huhudi community to remain united, calm and disciplined in securing a pardon for Babeile and ensuring that he is able to finish his education in a public school.
Babeile's case points to the need for an extensive campaign led by government and communities to eradicate racism in our education system. In this regard, SACP structures in the North West Province, following our Provincial Congress on 26 May, are working on Babeile's case and a broader campaign against racism.
CONTACT
Howard Yawa
SACP North West Provincial Secretary
Cell: 082 672 1529
OR
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity - South African Communist Party
Tel: 011 339 3621
Fax: 011 339 4244
Cell:083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org