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By Francesca Villette 
2h ago
Cape Town – A 39-year-old man was arrested for public violence after disturbing scenes of racism erupted at Brackenfell High School on Monday.
When the EFF descended on the school to protest an exclusive private enrollment event attended by only white students, a group of white men, armed with baseball bats and rocks, attacked the peaceful group of protesters.
They were filmed assaulting a woman with a baseball bat and throwing members of the EFF who withdrew.
EFF Provincial Vice President Nosipho Makamba-Botya said she met with the school’s governing body (SGB) shortly thereafter and was informed that those who became physically violent were not from the school community, but from a group of “armed rightists” who hijacked the demonstration.
“In what was a show of pure white arrogance, the armed rightists attacked EFF members, undermining their constitutional right to protest and physically assaulting them.
” Shots were fired, the policemen were handled by racist cowards who hid their faces. All of this was done in defense of racism, ”said the EFF.
– IOL News (@IOL) November 9, 2020
The EFF left shortly after the violent outbreak, and law enforcement and police had to implore the majority white group to leave as well.
The black students said they were not informed or invited to the private function, organized by the parents, as the school canceled their matrix dance due to Covid-19.
While the school has distanced itself from the event, the EFF says it must accept some responsibility because of the teachers’ attendance. The Western Cape Department of Education has said it cannot take action against anyone because it is a private party.
However, the department is investigating allegations that the school may be guilty of racism in its personnel practices. Currently, the school has two teachers of color on its staff of 40 educators. No black teachers have reportedly been hired at the school since 1994.
One parent, who asked to remain anonymous for the protection of his son, who is a leader in the school, said racism has prevailed throughout the student’s school career, including when he attended Brackenfell Elementary School.
“During their elementary and middle school years, they had meetings and they spoke in Afrikaans, and we constantly had to remind them and ask them to speak English because we don’t understand.
“I am glad that this incident has highlighted the situation. Racism and feeling left out is part of the culture of the school, ”he said.
Two students of color who spoke to the Cape Times yesterday said they were never asked to join the dance, which was hosted by white parents.
“No colored or black student was asked to join. Racism is a big problem at school, this is not an isolated incident, ”said one of the students.
Police spokesman Noloyiso Rwexana said the Public Order Police and other law enforcement agencies attended the protest, in which about 100 people participated.
“The police took steps to disperse the crowd. No injuries were reported.
A case of public violence was opened for investigation and a 39-year-old suspect was arrested. Scattered people with no reports of violence. The area is currently quiet, ”Rwexana said.
The EFF said it would meet to discuss its next course of action.
He emphasized that the event was a secondary issue to rampant racism and exclusion.
A father of the organizing committee has maintained that they were not racist in their actions, and that it “just happened” that only white students attended, since their children invited whoever they wanted.
Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer condemned the violence.
“Whatever your opinion, the fact is that the event in question was organized privately, in a private place, by individuals.
“The school had nothing to do with the organization or management of that event. It was not supported, funded or endorsed by the school in any way.
“The school did not hold a matrix dance this year due to Covid-19 concerns.
“WCED cannot and will not take action against educators who were invited as guests and attended a private event, who did not organize and had no prior knowledge of the attendees.
“We are also not in the business of prescribing who people should invite to private events off school property.”
A statement from the school said it was also not involved in the event.
Cape times
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