SAC seeks to interdict WCED from going ahead with slashing teachers' posts

CAPE TOWN - The Special Action Committee (SAC) is hauling the Western Cape Education Department before the court on Monday to stop cutting more than 2,000 teaching posts in the province in the new year. 

The department announced the cuts in August this year, citing a R3 billion budget cut from the national government.  

READ: Activists threaten legal action against WCED after consideration to cut teacher posts

Retired principal Terrence Claassen said the SAC sought to interdict the process. 

"Western Cape Education Department says its cost-cutting mechanisms and austerity measures, but it's going to have a major impact on the children of the working class. In most cases, the township and rural communities schools are going to be affected by this cutting of teachers." 

'WORSE THAN APARTHEID'

Cape Town is set to lose 1,674, while the Cape Winelands district will lose 299.

SAC member Zelt Marais described the national and provincial government's actions as draconian and worse than apartheid.

"I mean, you see, we took away sport, we took away arts and culture, we took away everything. How can we build a nation, a united nation, if from one side of the fence you're destroying those you're supposed to be helping the most - the vulnerable in this world?"

The court is set to decide whether to proceed with SAC's application later on Monday.