Political parties have been identified as a third force that fanned flames during the violent and racism-fuelled altercations at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen in Randfontein in February.
This was revealed by MEC for education in Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi, who said the first report on the alleged racism at the school on the West Rand was not flattering on race relations at the school.
The school was thrust into the spotlight in February after several videos of a brawl between black and white pupils went viral on social media.
Lesufi said the report will be combined with a report from the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) which will entail recommendations for the school. He said the SAHRC needs to be involved because it is fundamentally an issue of rights.
“There are people who come here when there is violence but when there is rebuilding they are not here. We are not going to be held hostage by anyone, this school will be a model school,” said Lesufi.
“There was a rally outside and we had private security and there were various political parties. There were lots and lots of third parties.”
He said parents or teachers who do not want children from different backgrounds should be deterred from causing further problems.
“Anyone that believes a learner does not have the right to be here or a child must not play with another child ... it is not going to happen in this school. We are building a nation and it will rise from this school,” he said.
Lesufi said another report on sexual harassment allegations by an educator still needs to be analysed by the department and will be released at a further stage. “We have that report and as soon as we have processed it we will announce it,” said Lesufi.
Luke Ansler from specialised security services and his investigating team came to the school to do interviews. “It was discovered that things were not correct at the school. It was furthermore determined that other learners not identified were also involved in the initial fighting and escalation of the violence.
“It was also discovered that third parties not part of the school were involved. It is suggested by us that disciplinary processes against identified learners and newly identified learners proceed.
“The school needs to establish a grievance committee for these things to not go out of hand. We have also suggested diversity programmes for the school and other learners to learn more about one another,” he said.
Ansler said the report implicated minors. “The rights of all the children were adhered to and abided to. Because of the sensitivity, names cannot be mentioned. These reports will all be taken into account and a final report will be released,” he said.
“There are challenges in this school and we need to identify dispute resolution mechanisms,” said Lesufi.
