By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi is visiting Hoërskool Jan Viljoen in Randfontein on Monday following a violent incident that took place between learners at the school.
The violent fight broke out on Friday between black and white pupils at the school with some believing it was racially motivated.
Parents protested outside the school on Monday, saying there is a group of white pupils at the school who are terrorising black kids.
“We are tired, enough is enough, enough with racism, it must fall, it must get down, we are done, we have heard enough,” said one parent.
As Lesufi was inside the school meeting with the governing body and the principal, a large contingency of private security was trying to keep pupils within the school premises and protesting parents out.
“Revolutionary songs are being chanted and the school gate has since been closed. Police had to disperse learners with water cannons inside the premises.”
After a brief standoff between the parents, Lesufi addressed the crowd where he promised that the department would investigate racism allegations.
“I want to assure you as parents that are here, I appreciate your presence. All of you, I appreciate your concerns,” Lesufi said.
Fullview attempted to contact the school for comment and it is yet to respond officially; however, they released a statement on their official Facebook page over the weekend saying, “Die skoolbestuur en beheerliggaam keur die gedrag van die betrokke individue in Vrydag se voorval ten sterkste af. Die skool sowel as die beheerliggaam is reeds die hele naweek besig om die voorval te ondersoek. Ons verseker u dat die skuldige partye gestraf sal word in terme die SA Skolewet en die skool se gedragskode.”
“The senior management team (SMT) and school governing body (SGB) deplore the behaviour of individuals involved in the incident at school on Friday. The school and SGB have already started to investigate the incident and will continue to do so. We want to assure you that the guilty parties will be punished in terms of the SA Schools Act and the code of conduct of the school.”
Meanwhile, the office of the Executive Mayor of the Rand West City Local Municipality has also confirmed that Mayor Gladys Khosa will be visiting Hoërskool Jan Viljoen today (February 14).