Tensions are fraying in Brackenfell, Cape Town, in the wake of violent clashes on Monday, with the EFF threatening to teach “humility” to those who clashed with protesting supporters outside a high school.
This is where white pupils recently attended their own private matric ball.
EFF supporters threatened to “descend” on the school, in the same way it did in Senekal, when violence broke out between black EFF supporters and white farmers in the wake of the brutal murder of Brendin Horner.
Riot police were called in Monday as EFF supporters clashed with parents in the wake of an all-white matric party in October. One person was arrested.
In a statement on Monday, the EFF promised it would ensure activity at the school came to a halt.
“All those white racists who have an uncontrollable desire to control the movement of black people, and dictate where we can and cannot go, will be taught the humility we taught racists in Senekal.
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“These terror attacks will not go unanswered. They have pushed us, and they must prepare to be pushed back harder. The EFF will communicate the way forward to all of its structures,” said Vuyani Pambo, the party’s national spokesperson.
An unverified video doing the rounds on social media showed a white man hitting a black woman on her back.
The Right2Know campaign and the SA Human Rights Commission criticised the parents for disrupting what was a legal and peaceful protest.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Governing Bodies of SA Schools (Fedsas) reprimanded the actions of the EFF, accusing it of politicising the issue.
Fedsas CEO Paul Colditz said this was a desperate attempt by the party.
“One must condemn the EFF politicisation of this situation. This was not an official school function. The school was not involved at all. If they [the EFF] opened their eyes and ears, they would have seen what happened
“There was no reason for them to be involved, particularly when the matrics are writing their exams. It had nothing to do with education and the school,” Colditz said.
He said this was not a racial issue but a misunderstanding.
Western Cape education department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond told Sunday Times Daily the matric event was private and the school “had nothing to do with the organisation or management of that event” and that “two educators were invited as guests”.
However, the civil society organisation Right2Know said those who clashed with the EFF members trampled on their right to protest.
“The law should deal with them for provoking peaceful protesters. Everyone has a right to protest peacefully and no one should infringe on that right,” said the organisation.
The SA Human Rights Commission said it would be investigating the matter.
“We are aware of the issue; we are looking into it. There’s unfair discrimination, on the other hand the right to protest by EFF ... but it should be peaceful and unarmed. Any actions that transgress on the rights of others is unconstitutional. We cannot prejudge the matter,” said Andre Gaum, commissioner at the SAHRC.
Chairperson of the school governing body at Brackenfell, Dr Guillaume Smit, said the school was distancing itself from the matric ball that sparked the tensions.
“I was on the scene today. I witnessed a lot of the stuff. We do not condone racism or violence in any way. We already have a mission to increase diversity in the school, but because of Covid we couldn’t see it through as quick as possible, but the school was already working on inclusivity.
“We are saddened by what happened today, it was not driven by our school parents but by members of the community,” Smit said.
He said when he spoke to the organiser of the ball, he was reassured the event was not intended to discriminate against black pupils.
“She explained to me that they didn’t want to intentionally discriminate against anyone,” Smit added.
Cape Town police spokesperson Sgt Noloyiso Rwexana said police dispersed the crowd and no one was injured.
“Law enforcement agencies attended to the protest at Brackenfell earlier today where a group of about 100 people gathered. Police took action 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 for firing an airgun. People dispersed with no reports of violence. The area is now quiet,” Rwexana said.
