An unofficial matric dance attended exclusively by white students lifted the lid on an alleged racial divide at Brackenfell High School.
For the Afrikaans white parents who organised the dance, the fact that that it was only attended by white students supposedly came down to advertising, which was done via WhatsApp groups and failed to reach students of colour.
Other parents at the school said that the event was indicative of a systemic problem that they say filters into both parent and student relations.
The situation has escalated in the days following initial reports, with the EFF staging a protest today outside of the high school. They were met there by Brackenfell High School parents, and things quickly turned ugly.
Per TimesLIVE, angry community members have denied that there is any racism at the school. Meanwhile, the EFF is demanding that the two teachers who attended the dance be axed.
Videos of the protest show rocks being hurled, fistfights, and police using stun grenades to disperse the crowd:
— Robert Wilson (@RobWil2003) November 9, 2020
Police trying to arrest a resident of Brackenfell outside the high school where the two groups clashed @TimesLIVE @SowetanLIVE @BDliveSA @EFFWesternCape_ @DBE_SA @EFFSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/mKS58En86F
— Esa Alexander (@ezaap) November 9, 2020
Police had their hands full outside Brackenfell High School where parents with residents in the area clash with @EFFWesternCape_ over alleged racism at the institution @TimesLIVE @SundayTimesZA @SowetanLIVE @BDliveSA @DBE_SA pic.twitter.com/QR8svGlgbv
— Esa Alexander (@ezaap) November 9, 2020
Brackenfell Update : Community fighting with EFF members
POPS have separated the 2 groups.
1 person has been arrested for public violence.@1SecondLater #1Second #BrackenfellHigh @BOSBEER2006 @MARIUSBROODRYK @BokRadio @VOCfm @allcapetown @WCGovSafelyHome @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/uA9LiSfyLV— 1Second (@1SecondLater) November 9, 2020
This one really captures the chaos:
Parents of learners and residents in the area clash at Brackenfell High with @EFFSouthAfrica members as the controversy over alleged racism at the institution intensifies. @TimesLIVE @SundayTimesZA @SowetanLIVE @DBE_SA pic.twitter.com/DKUzJcBloC
— Esa Alexander (@ezaap) November 9, 2020
More from the scene:
Eff and Brackenfell school pic.twitter.com/x0KpEClmHn
— Kidron (@Kidron) November 9, 2020
Two EFF members injured during the heated clash, no arrests confirmed.@TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/s8qrXMD09Q
— uCebelihle wakwaMthethwa
(@CebohNyambose) November 9, 2020
Police spokesperson Sergent Noloyiso Rwexana says that the situation is being monitored, and for good reason.
It is alleged a member of the public fired shots. A case of attempted murder was opened for investigation. A 39-year-old suspect who is yet to be processed was arrested,” said Rwexana.
“Police took action to disperse the crowd. No injuries were reported and no other arrests were effected at this stage. A case of public violence will be opened for investigation. Police will remain in the area until law and order is restored.”
It’s pretty wild.
According to the EFF, it’s only going to get wilder:
EFF Condemns White-Terrorism in Brackenfell Anti-Racism Protests pic.twitter.com/Zq51qUqodW
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 9, 2020
[source:timeslive]
