The EFF said the aim of the protest was to highlight alleged racism and segregation at the school, something that learners have posted about on social media.
At the heart of the matter was a private function organized by parents to celebrate the end of matric after the traditional matric dance was cancelled due to Covid-19.
Police used stun grenades and sprayed dye and teargas to disperse about 2,000 EFF supporters in Brackenfell outside Cape Town today. The protestors were attempting to force their way through the police barricades protecting routes to the Brackenfell High School.
A permit was granted for the EFF protest outside Brackenfell High School today, giving permission for 100 protestors to hand over a memorandum to the school.
It was claimed that black learners were neither informed nor invited to the function. Two teachers apparently attended the function on a wine farm.
EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini negotiated with police, requesting that they increase the number of protestors allowed to march to the school.
An agreement was reached that 500, instead of 100, protestors could approach the school. However, meters down Paradys Road, EFF supporters tried to barge their way through the cordon and the barricade and police opened fire with stun guns and teargas.
Protestors scattered in all directions.
Police maintained a perimeter and negotiations resumed. The stalemate lasted for over an hour, with more EFF members joining the protest. By 3pm, there was still no sign of party leader Julius Malema.
Protestors scattered in all directions.
Police maintained a perimeter and negotiations resumed. The stalemate lasted for over an hour, with more EFF members joining the protest. By 3 pm, there was still no sign of party leader Julius Malema.
A barbed-wire cordon was erected around the school, with the Cape Party setting up a tent outside the premises. Leaders of the party said they were there in solidarity with the residents of Brackenfell.
Around 3 pm a white man approached Dlamini as he was addressing the crowd, an argument ensued which led to a scuffle. Some in the crowd started assaulting the man and police once again fired stun grenades and rubber bullets. There are reports of injured protestors.
Leave a Reply