Dear Friends, Supporters, and Champions of Justice,

I am Hanif Kruger, an advocate for disability rights and the manager at the Assistive Technology Centre at the South African National Council for the Blind. My mission is rooted in the belief that knowledge equips us with the power to effect tangible change and ensures self-representation. I staunchly hold to the principle that the perceptions others harbour towards individuals with disabilities belong to the perceivers alone, and not to the individuals being perceived or judged.

Like many of you, I was initially comforted by the commitments made by various governmental entities, promises that pledged to address and rectify the ongoing issues at the Ikwezi Lokusa Special Needs Boarding School. The expectation was that sincere efforts would be initiated to enhance the lives of the students there. However, it has become painfully evident that action has been delayed — stifled by bureaucracy and a seeming indifference to the urgent needs at hand.

Introduction
In the heart of South Africa, a nation that ledged to uphold the rights and dignity of every individual, there lies a place where the most vulnerable among us are subjected to unimaginable hardships daily.
The Ikwezi Lokusa Special Needs Boarding School, which should have been a sanctuary of learning and growth for children with disabilities, tragically continues the cycle of neglect, abuse, and exploitation of children.

The recent investigative piece by Carte Blanche, titled "Disturbing Conditions at Ikwezi Lokusa Special Needs School," sheds light on the horrifying conditions at the school located in Umtata, Eastern Cape. These conditions are not new. They have been investigated and documented since 2002 by, among others the Ministries of Basic Education and Social Development and the then Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities.

Initially established in 1965 by missionary sisters as a beacon of hope for disabled children, the school has seen a tragic decline since the government took over in 2001.

Despite a previous investigation by Carte Blanche in 2018, which revealed children sleeping on brick beds and a severe lack of adequate staffing, the promises of improvement from the Eastern Cape Department of Education have remained unfulfilled.

Recent Developments
On 5th September 2023, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education received a progress report from the Department of Basic Education on the implementation of Inclusive Education. During this briefing, Ms M van Zyl (DA) highlighted the grave conditions at the Ikwezi Lokusa Special School, bringing to light the horrifying experiences of the learners, including an incident of a learner being raped by a male teacher.
The committee members expressed their dismay at the appalling conditions of the special needs schools, noting that the learners were not valued, supported, or included. They pinpointed the poor accommodation, inadequate facilities, lack of assistive devices, and insufficient staff as some of the main issues plaguing the institution. The members advocated for more unannounced visits to get a real sense of the ground realities beyond presentations.

Source: PMG Committee Meeting Report - https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/37416/

The current state of the school is even more deplorable with deteriorated sleeping spaces, unsanitary bathrooms, and non-functional water facilities in the dormitories. The infrastructure is outdated and unsuitable for any child, but particularly for children with disabilities, leaving them in neglect and exposing them to abuse, including alarming instances of sexual assault.

I invite you to witness the heart-wrenching realities these innocent souls endure daily through this documentary video. The footage unveils the unbearable living conditions and the blatant disregard for the human rights of the learners.

Call to Action
We call upon every citizen, every parent, every teacher, and every leader to join hands in demanding:
1.      An immediate and unbiased investigation into the conditions at Ikwezi Lokusa Special Needs Boarding School, including why the recommendations of previous investigations were not implemented.

2.      Legal and disciplinary action against those responsible for the neglect and abuse at the school, including failure by DBE and DSD officials, and officials at provincial head office level to provide oversight.

3.      Urgent reforms to ensure a safe and nurturing learning environment for the learners.

4.      Immediate support and rehabilitation for the victims, including counselling and medical care.

5.      Immediate closure of the school, with learners enrolled and supported in local schools where their parents live, until such time as the boarding facilities meet basic minimum standards for child safeguarding.

Appeal
As I pen down this petition, my heart is heavy with the burden of the silent cries and the stifled dreams of the innocent learners at Ikwezi Lokusa. We cannot turn a blind eye to the pain etched in their faces, the despair in their eyes, and the harsh realities they endure daily.

I implore you to not just watch the video but to feel the pain, to understand the gravity of the injustice, and to be moved to action. Let us unite in this crucial hour to be the voice of the voiceless, to fight for their rights, and to restore their stolen dreams.

Let us not fail them. Let us stand firm, with love in our hearts and a resolve that echoes with the spirit of Ubuntu, to say, "No more!" to abuse, "No more!" to exploitation, and "No more!" to injustice.

Please, sign this petition. Let us bring light to the dark corners of Ikwezi Lokusa Special Needs Boarding School and pave a path to healing, justice, and a brighter future for these innocent souls.

Legal References
As we stand up against this grave injustice, we anchor our plea on the firm ground of established legal instruments that have been contravened, including:
International Instruments
1.      United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) - https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html
·        Article 7: Ensures the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by children with disabilities on an equal basis with other children. - https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-7-children-with-disabilities.html

·        Article 16: Mandates the protection of persons with disabilities, including children, from exploitation, violence, and abuse. - https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-16-freedom-from-exploitation-violence-and-abuse.html

·        Article 24: Recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to education, and obliges states to ensure an inclusive education system at all levels. - https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-24-education.html

2.      Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

·        This convention comprehensively deals with the human rights of children, including those with disabilities, and emphasizes the right to protection from exploitation and abuse. - https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx

3.      Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

·        Article 25: Stipulates the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including essential social services. - https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights#:~:text=Article%2025

National Legislation
1.      South African Constitution - https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution-republic-south-africa-1996
·        Section 9: Upholds the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. - https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/chapter-2-bill-rights#9

·        Section 28: Emphasizes the protection of every child from maltreatment, neglect, and abuse. - https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/chapter-2-bill-rights#28

2.      South African Schools Act of 1996 - https://www.gov.za/documents/south-african-schools-act

·        Section 8: Necessitates a disciplined and purposeful school environment dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of the quality of the learning process. - https://www.gov.za/documents/south-african-schools-act#8

3.      Children's Act

·        The Children's Act in South Africa is designed to protect the rights of children and ensure their well-being. It encourages child participation and protects their right to participation. The Act should be a critical tool in ensuring the rights and protection of the children at Ikwezi Lokusa Special Needs Boarding School are upheld.