Note to Editors: Please note Sakhile Mngadi, MPL sound bites in English and isiZulu
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal strongly condemns the entry of uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (MKP) Party representatives – in full party regalia – into multiple public schools in uMngeni Municipality.
The occurrences, which took place during contact teaching hours, saw campaign material distributed under the guise of school support. Photographic evidence clearly shows political actors engaging learners on school premises. (view here, here and here)
This conduct is expressly prohibited by the South African Schools Act and the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Education (DOE) Circular 35 of 2025, which unambiguously bans political activity, party branding and campaigning in schools during contact hours and further outlines processes on gaining access to schools in our province.
Schools are constitutionally protected spaces that must remain neutral, safe and dedicated solely to learning.
While initiatives aimed at supporting learners, such as the donation of school shoes, are in principle commendable, good intentions do not place anyone above the law. Political parties are free to conduct social programmes, but must do so outside school hours, without learners present and without partisan messaging.
As a responsible partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA therefore calls for:
• A formal KZN DoE investigation into the conduct of the school principal for violating binding departmental instructions
• Appropriate disciplinary action should misconduct be confirmed.
The DA has also begun the process of referring MKP MPL, Thembile Mazibuko, to the KZN Legislature Ethics Committee for abusing access to a public school for partisan political purpose
This incident reflects a disturbing and growing trend of co-opting children into political activity, as also witnessed during recent events at Addington Primary School. Such practices are harmful, unlawful and expose children to unnecessary risks and harm.
Politics must be kept out of our classrooms without exception.