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- The SAHRC is considering a broader investigation into allegations of racial exclusion in some schools.
- The commission is already investigating claims about a matrix party, from which Brackenfell High School has distanced itself.
- The commission says it will enter the investigation with an “open mind.”
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is considering a broader investigation into allegations of racial exclusion in schools following violent clashes over a matrix party attended by some students from Brackenfell High School.
Western Cape SAHRC Commissioner André Gaum told News24 on Wednesday that the commission had launched its own investigation into the events surrounding the party.
The investigation has just begun, so there are no conclusions or further details available.
However, other complaints of racism received by the SAHRC across the country indicate that a more extensive investigation may be necessary to examine whether there are systemic problems.
“We will get the facts based on our investigation,” Gaum told News24.
“The South African Human Rights Commission has opened an own initiative investigation into both allegations of unfair discrimination with respect to the matrix event, and the violence that broke out here on Monday,” Gaum said.
The commission had already visited the school on Tuesday and had discussions with the principal and the president of the school’s governing body.
READ | Brackenfell High: ‘The right to protest is fundamental’ – Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
“We must emphasize that no findings have been made yet. It is still very early in our research, so we have not found yet that there has been an event of racial segregation, for example.
“We just need to first establish all the facts when it comes to this topic, which will obviously relate to things like invitations, who was invited.”
It will include discussions with parents and students, and allegations that teachers attended the event.
The commission approaches it with an “open mind.”
Debbie Los. (Jenni Evans, News24)
Morne Swart. (Jenni Evans, News24)
Names of murdered women and children affixed to Morne Swart’s car as he lobbies for further violence. (Jenni Evans, News24)
Brackenfell High School. (Jenni Evans, News24)
He added that the right to protest is a fundamental right, but it must also be exercised peacefully and without weapons.
It cannot infringe the right to education.
He said that wherever there are protests, there are limits to the right to protest, but it is a “very important” constitutional right.
The Brackenfell High School controversy arose as a result of most schools canceling their traditional matrix dance due to Covid-19.
It was claimed that a private enrollment function, organized by parents, excluded people of color.
The school distanced itself from the event, saying it was private, although some teachers had attended.
The EFF broached the issue, and some of its representatives held a meeting with the school on Friday, before violent clashes broke out near the school on Monday between angry community members and protesters.
On Thursday, the Western Cape Superior Court did not grant a request from the school to stop the EFF from picketing the school.
However, the EFF was given until Friday to file court documents regarding the request and is expected to be heard on Monday.
Easy on wednesday
On Wednesday, a group of parents gathered under a tree near the school in Rogland Park. It was eventually reduced to two people, then one in a camp chair, and then its spot in the shade was taken by one of the police vehicles that they monitored while the children were at school.
A variety of other interest groups came in, from a women’s prayer group to an organization lobbying against murders on farms to another lobbying against the murder of women and children.
The latter two – #OurVoces and Stop Farm Murders Movement – felt that Monday’s confrontation between some parents and EFF supporters had been “misunderstood” by the media.
Debbie Els of the Stop Farm Murders Movement said her main concern is the safety of women and children, and the prevention of gender-based violence.
He said the safety of the children inside the school, many of whom are writing their final matriculation exams, was the reason he was monitoring.
He said he had “good authority” that the tuition party was private, and that many people refused because they didn’t want to go out during the Covid-19 pandemic, or they couldn’t afford it, or they had a prior commitment. .
She said the usual school friend dynamic may also have contributed to some not attending.
‘Political game’
#AllVoices activist Morne Swart said, between sips of Monster energy drink, that she stands up for “what’s right.”
He crosses the country in his vehicle, wrapped with a banner with the names of murdered women and children, and a photo of the cover of the Constitution.
The Mossel Bay man’s travels have taken him as far away as Senekal in the Free State, where there was a huge gathering of EFF supporters and people sympathizing with farmers after the murder of farm manager Brendin Horner.
He said he is not political, and has even protested with the EFF and ANC before over the murder of a child in Gauteng.
He is also concerned that tensions, such as those on Monday, could one day lead to someone being killed.
He felt that the Brackenfell High controversy had turned into a “political game.”
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