The Democratic Alliance says people living in Port Elizabeth's Northern Areas are living in fear.
The Northern Areas have been rocked by violent protests and Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg says police are maintaining a strong presence and are currently negotiating with the protesters.
What was supposed to have been a peaceful protest over teacher shortages and other education issues, escalated into violent clashes between police and stone-throwing residents.
DA Shadow MEC for Education Edmund Van Vuuren, says he wrote to Education MEC Mandla Makupula four months ago asking him to consider certain proposals.
Van Vuuren says the department has not taken notice of the proposals which include advertising posts in the Free State, Western and Northern Cape where there are Afrikaans speaking teachers available, who could fill vacant teacher posts in Port Elizabeth.
"This thing could of been stopped. I'm not happy with what is happening in our area. We are being held hostage in our own area. We are not responsible for these things happening at our schools. We have appealed to the MEC and to government to assist but what is happening now is wrong, people are living in fear. People need to take account for what has happened in this area." says Van Vuuren.
Meanwhile, Northern Areas Education Forum Chairperson Ronald Matthys says a meeting will be held with principals on Monday afternoon to address the current crisis.
Matthys says in addition, another meeting will be held with parents at Arcadia High School on Monday evening.
The NAEF is calling for calm so that children can return to school.
