Minister warns non-compliance will lead to legal consequences

BASIC Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has warned that those that will not comply with controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act will face the full might of the law.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Gwarube, who has yet to gazette the Bela Act's regulations, said there was a legislative framework on how the department's districts and schools should implement the new law.

"This piece of legislation is now the law of the Republic of South Africa. Anybody who does not comply with the law will face the consequence of not complying with the law," she said.

Gwarube made the comment during the question-and answer-session in the National Assembly when she was asked by EFF MP Mandla Shikwambane how she planned to address potential resistance for former Model C and Afrikaans-medium schools to use the admission and language policy to systematically exclude black pupils.

She said the department could not change attitudes by legislation.

"We cannot legislate to change attitudes. Legislation for education accommodates all children from all backgrounds and language. Anybody who does not comply with this piece of legislation will find themselves on the wrong side of the law."

Gwarube stated that it was not for the department to worry about non-compliance.