'Lesbian pupils' back at school

The Commission for Gender Equality has slammed the suspension of 300 girls at a KwaZulu-Natal high school by staff who claimed that the girls are lesbians.

This follows a decision late last month by the governing body and management of Mthwalume High School, on the province's South Coast, to remove 300 pupils from the school and to close down the boarding house after two girls were seen kissing openly in a dormitory.

The two named 27 other pupils as lesbians.

Commission spokesman Javu Baloyi said the commission wrote to the provincial department of education demanding answers.

Lindani Mkhize, of the local branch of teachers union Sadtu, said the matter was resolved and the children were back at school on March 1.

"A team was sent to investigate and Sadtu is waiting for the finalisation of the investigation by the department," he said.