By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former President Thabo Mbeki sent a scathing 13-page letter to the Gauteng Provincial Government concerning their handling of the recent “racism” scandal at Pretoria High School for Girls (PHSG).
The letter was addressed to both premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC of Education Matome Chiloane.
In July of this year, twelve Grade 12 girls at the school were suspended after being accused of expressing racist views in a WhatsApp group.
Following a disciplinary hearing chaired by an independent advocate, all twelve girls were found not guilty of the charges levelled against them.
In addition to the suspension of the twelve learners, the Gauteng Department of Education (“GDE”) suspended the school’s Principal, and transferred the school’s Deputy Principal, to work from the District Office.
In his letter, Mbeki noted that the decisions to suspend and charge both the learners and the principal were “taken before any investigation was carried out to establish that there was at least prima facie evidence to suggest that there was substance to the allegations made.”
He highlighted a number of instances of abuse of power that the GDE has engaged in.
Mbeki mentioned that he has personally inspected the contents of the relevant WhatsApp conversation and could not find evidence of racism.
He further states that “It seems, for some reason, that the GDE was determined to smear the PHSG with the charge of racism.”
And he expressed dismay at the bullying and harassment which the principal had been subjected to. Mbeki concluded as follows:
Accordingly, we hold the unequivocal view that the GDE erred in acting against the persons concerned on the basis of the false allegation that the chat group made comments which amounted to racism and hate speech.
Accordingly, we propose that the GDE must, without delay:
• terminate the Principal’s suspension and allow her to return to her job at the PHSG;
• allow the Deputy Principal to return with immediate effect to her job at the PHSG;
• address the School Assembly to explain its actions; and,
• reconsider halting the investigation instituted by the GDE which we understand is currently underway.
“We hope that the GDE will draw honest conclusions from this unfortunate episode of the ’12-person learner chat group’ and thus improve the manner in which it discharges its role of managing and leading our school system, as defined by law.”
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance (DA) wants the GDE to reinstate both the principal and her deputy, also the Premier and MEC must deliver written apologies to each of the 12 girls as well as the principal and deputy principal.
Read the full letter here:https://press-admin.voteda.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/President-Mbekis-Report-1.pdf