Parents and members of the Brackenfell community say a private event held for some matric pupils two weeks ago was open to every pupil.
This comes after claims were made on social media and in media reports that the event, which parents organised for matric pupils, was only attended by white pupils and two teachers.
Tensions flared up on Monday when angry community members confronted a group of protesting EFF members outside Brackenfell High School.
According to EFF provincial chairperson Melikhaya Xego, the party wanted to meet the school principal and school governing body to demand that the two teachers who attended the event be suspended.
Police intervene in the stand-off outside Brackenfell High in Cape Town, November 10, 2020. (Photo by Jacques Stander Gallo Images)
However, on Monday the party was met by a large crowd of Brackenfell community members who said they were protecting pupils who were writing exams.
Former Brackenfell pupil Charlotte Mattheus said that it was unjustified for the EFF to “come and rock up” in front of the school.
“Everyone was invited,” Mattheus insisted.
“The school kids who wanted to go could go. A lot didn’t go because of Covid-19, but it was open for everyone.”
The private event was organised by parents and was held at a wine estate.
However, Xego disputed the claim and said the party was informed that black pupils were not invited to the event.
“We must not try and sugar coat things. They will definitely amend the invitation that we have received to … portray they are not racist,” claimed Xego.
Video footage on Monday morning showed various physical altercations between the two groups. Fists and stones flew after angry residents confronted an EFF member outside one of the school gates.
Two members of the EFF were injured during the altercation.
A shot was also reportedly fired into the air, allegedly from a “replica gun”. A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this incident.
Public order police intervened in the violence and discharged stun grenades.
EFF members left the protest first, while some community residents stayed behind at the school.
Responding to a question about weapons brought to the school, such as pickaxes and rubber bullets, Mattheus said that it was to protect the community.
“As we walked up, the EFF threw us with rocks. What’s new?” she added.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said a public violence case was opened for investigation.
By Monday afternoon, the situation was calmer.
The Western Cape Department of Education previously said the event was not a school or department-sponsored event, but that it was a private event held at a private venue. News24/DM
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If I want to hold an event/party . I invite who I want !
EFF thugs !
Organised by parents and held at a wine estate .
So what if ‘blacks’ were excluded ?
Seriously !
Must gatherings be BEE compliant ?
How many ‘white ‘ contestants in Miss Black South Africa ?
It happened !
How many groups or organisation start with ‘Black ………..’ ?
Whites not invited or welcome !
What do we see in the picture ?
Am not doing the 1000 word thing , I could 🙂
What I do see is a policeman , not wearing a mask , touching a man !
That is not social distancing !
Do not touch me ! Do not get into my space ! Threaten me !
You have touched me , deliberately !
I would take his name and number and open a case of ‘common assault ‘ .
The polite and civilised way .
Frankly , I would not let that happen !
and be wearing a mask .
Remind officer about law for ‘social distancing ‘ , if he ‘sans’ mask comes closer , am justifiably threatened , as he is clearly breaking the law .
Unless I am being arrested , do not try to touch me !
I will brush the hand away and warn the offender of my rights to self defense !
Do not wag a finger in my face !
I will tell you what I will do with it !
With the camera guys watching !
Chill, dude.
Without racism neither the anc nor the eff have any effective party strategy. They try and find racism on the sharp end of a pin, but are rabid racists themselves. The millions of poor people that the ‘liberators’ were supposed to raise from their terrible lives, are actually worse off now. If the lies and corruption are not enough, just look where they rule….no power [ money stolen], raw sewerage flowing into water sources [ inability to carry out the tasks required ]… need I go on ??. we need the truth and accountability.
Racism is a socially transmitted mental illness. Because their vision is clouded by their stereotyping of others particularly, in the case of racism, along racial lines those who suffer from it are unable to see people, as people just like themselves. As a mental illness it has to be addressed through psychotherapy, it is not amenable to cure by any other means, like protests etc..
The “We were told ……” comment says it all.
The EFF once again shows its true, racist, rabble rousing head with neither eyes to see nor brains to deduce the information was, at best hearsay or, more likely, designed to incite unrest!
Worst of all, the fourth estate also jumped on the hysterical band wagon, calling more rabble to the “cause”!