Student anger at Cup stadium in Nelspruit

Nelspruit students have burnt tyres at the 2010 World Cup site in the town in protest over the demolition of two schools on the construction area, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Students from the Cyril Clarke Secondary School and John Mdluli Primary School were promised alternate permanent schools two years ago, said DA leader in Mpumalanga, Anthony Benade, on Monday.

According to Benade, student anger last week erupted in protests in which sections of a makeshift library were burnt and a convoy of students marched on the Mbomela Stadium site.

Benade said tyres had been burnt during the demonstrations and a number of the schoolchildren had later been arrested.

Benade said he was shocked that the two schools vacated in 2006 to make way for the Mbombela Stadium were still making use of temporary class rooms.

South African 2010 local organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan said the entire Mbombela Stadium project was in the hands of the Mpumalanga government—but he would look into the matter of the displaced schools.—Sapa