The EFF has urged the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to take disciplinary action against a group of Pinelands High School students accused of ‘selling’ their black classmates in a mock slave auction, threatening to hold protests and close the school.
While several students have been suspended pending an investigation into the incident, which was filmed on school grounds last week, the EFF has called for the perpetrators to be suspended from school and forced to do community service in black townships alongside their parents.
The shocking incident was captured on a mobile camera and later posted on social media.
According to the Cape Argus, concerned parent Merle Potgieter reported the incident to school management. In the video captioned ‘Slavery at School is Crazy,’ black students can be seen standing behind a gate while their coloured classmates are heard making bids ranging from R50,000 to R100,000.
One student even offers to buy his classmate with Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Merle reported that her 14-year-old son was attacked by a group of boys as he arrived at school on Thursday morning.
The concerned mother went to school the next day and demanded a meeting with the principal, who she claimed was unaware of the incident.
Merle stated that some of those who participated were later suspended, and that racial slurs and bullying occurred frequently, with black students being mocked and called names such as ‘load shedding’ and told to ‘go eat chicken feet’.
Bronagh Hammond, WCED spokesperson, confirmed that they were aware of the video and described it as disturbing.
“The school had already initiated an investigation into the event in terms of its disciplinary procedures, following an allegation of racist bullying, in connection with an event that occurred on Thursday.
“The learners involved are being interviewed and offered support, including counselling. Contact is also being made with the learners’ parents. The school management has also engaged with the staff and learners and will be communicating with the parent community. The SGB will soon convene to determine the next steps in terms of disciplinary action,” said Bronagh.
In a letter sent to parents on Saturday, the school announced that a number of students had been suspended pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
“As a consequence, a number of students have been precautionarily suspended pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation. Further actions will be taken as necessary. Our school has long grappled with the injustices of the past, and this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of our ongoing conversations about race, privilege, bullying, social media pranks, and the impact of our words and actions in both the physical and digital world,” the letter read.
Meanwhile, Mbulelo Dwane, EFF provincial co-ordinator of the party’s labour desk, said they were shocked to see the video, and awaited the outcome of the investigation.
“We vehemently condemn all forms of racism, but this is very shocking. We are waiting to see what the WCED does but we believe these children should be suspended from the schooling system for at least two years.
“They should be made to do community service in the black areas along with their parents because where does a 13- or 14-year-old come on this if they are not being taught it at their homes or in their community? We want punitive action and while we will wait for the WCED to investigate, if we are not satisfied, we will protest and close down that school.”
Compiled by Murray Swart
First published by Cape Town etc
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