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By Asanda Sokanyile 
7h ago
Cape Town – The EFF has called for the suspension of two teachers who attended a private enrollment function allegedly hosted by white Brackenfell High School students earlier this week.
The party has also called for the director’s suspension.
Some parents, private security and members of the EFF protested yesterday in front of the school gates.
What was to be a peaceful picket ended with the windows of an EFF vehicle smashed and a verbal altercation between parents and party members.
Police spokesman Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed that Brackenfell police were informed of a case of intentional property damage following the protest.
EFF Vice President Nosipho Makamba-Botya said the party had “brought charges to SAPS after the violence that erupted.” “They said they will investigate and also get video footage from the school to determine what happened,” he said.
The provincial coordinator of the student command Khotso Lefeela said that the EFF disputed the claims of the director and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
“How can the principal distance himself from an event that took place under his school’s banner, an event he was aware of? Even if the event was private and planned by this bourgeoisie, the school would have had to give the go-ahead. What we are saying is that we do not accept this denial from the school or the department of education.
“When the school saw this show being planned and excluded black, Indian and colored students, why did they let it continue?” he said.
The party has confirmed its call that the two teachers who attended the function, as well as the principal, be suspended pending an investigation.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said that while no discrimination allegations had been made against Brackenfell previously, the department was engaged with the school about the allegations that arose as a result of the party.
Hammond, however, disputed claims that the event was the school’s usual annual tuition send-off.
“There was no matrix ball this year as a result of Covid-19. The SGB made the decision not to host a matrix dance due to health and safety concerns. “
Hammond also blamed social media for creating a stir.
“The school had nothing to do with the organization or management of that event. It was not carried out under the banner of the school, social networks just did it that way, “he added.
Hammond also confirmed that the event did not take place on the school premises, adding that there was no evidence that other racial groups were excluded from the event.
“Neither the school nor the WCED have the authority or the power to intervene in what people do in their private time. Many students from many schools have organized private matrix celebrations in the last month due to the cancellation of their own matrix dances, many of which have been small events within friendship circles. “
A letter, seen by the Weekend Argus, sent to students and parents in September also indicated that there would not be a tuition dance hosted by the school due to Covid-19 regulations.
Father Ivan Simmers, who is now calling for the intervention of the South African Human Rights Commission, said the sad thing is that “these children are good children but their parents are brainwashing them and this will lead to more Penny
Sparrows of this world ”.
Argus weekend
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