DA, FF Plus at odds over matric pupil safety motion

Cape Town – The Western Cape’s political landscape was jolted this week as the Democratic Alliance (DA) voted against a Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) motion aimed at enhancing protection for matriculants during the upcoming exam season.

The decision quickly drew sharp criticism from FF Plus and raised concerns around pupil safety — especially amid persistent gang violence.

FF Plus provincial leader Grant Marais stressed the urgency of the motion, noting that “when the matric exams commence, pupils depart from school premises earlier than usual, which increases the likelihood of finding themselves in dangerous situations.”

He warned that gang violence on the Cape Flats continues to place children at risk, saying, “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 also flagged a glaring inconsistency: while the DA rejected the motion, the party later proposed a debate on the rise of shootings in the province — a move he called contradictory. He argued that the absence of tighter exam-season security risked exacerbating educational inequality. “A learning environment marked by violent crime creates educational inequalities that undermine these pupils’ academic prospects,” he said.

Children’s safety and security

The motion’s rejection went further than procedural objection, as Marais condemned it as a “moral error,” accusing the DA of putting financial considerations before student safety.

“Children’s safety and security should never be used as a political pawn,” he asserted, promising FF Plus would continue pushing for practical measures.

The DA responded through Al­an Winde’s media liaison, Regan Thaw, clarifying that while the Premier “objected to the motion without notice,” it was not dismissed entirely and “will now be placed on the order paper for debate.”

Thaw emphasised that motions lacking an associated budget or implementation plan are procedurally difficult to pass.

“The Western Cape Provincial Parliament cannot agree to motions without any budget or plan attached to the motion,” he said, reported The Citizen.

Beyond the legislature, FF Plus’ concern is echoed by recent statistics that underscore the peril facing young Western Cape residents.

A Bulletin report highlighted that between October and December 2024, a staggering 263 of the country’s 294 gang-related murders — over 90% — occurred in the Western Cape. FF Plus cited this as evidence that “innocent children are being caught in the crossfire of gangs,” reinforcing the argument for targeted safety measures.