NATIONAL NEWS - Tensions have been mounting at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen in Randfontein on Monday morning.
Police were called after an altercation broke out at the high school in West Porges on Friday afternoon.
Randfontein Police spokesperson Sergeant Carmen Hendricks confirmed to the Randfontein Herald that the fight between two groups of learners had erupted on the school grounds at about 13:00.
“Tensions are high at the moment with many parents and representatives from political parties including the EFF and ANC, civil rights organisation AfriForum and various law-enforcement agencies including police, Rand West City Traffic Department and Department of Community Safety as well as a private security company on scene.
Different groups of people were seen pushing and shoving each other after it was alleged that Friday’s altercation was racially motivated. Gauteng Education MEC for Education Phanyaza Lesufi is currently holding talks with management of the school.
“Revolutionary songs are being chanted and the school gate has since been closed. Police had to disperse learners with water cannons inside the premises.”The Randfontein Herald attempted to contact the school for comment and it is yet to respond officially; however, they released a statement on their official Facebook page over the weekend saying, “The senior management team (SMT) and school governing body (SGB) deplore the behaviour of individuals involved in the incident at school on Friday.
"The school and SGB have already started to investigate the incident and will continue to do so. We want to assure you that the guilty parties will be punished in terms of the SA Schools Act and the code of conduct of the school.”
The Gauteng Department of Education has also been approached for comment and the Randfontein Herald is awaiting their feedback.
Meanwhile, the office of the Executive Mayor of the Rand West City Local Municipality has also confirmed that Mayor Gladys Khosa will be visiting Hoërskool Jan Viljoen sometime today.
The mayor’s visit is to establish facts and she will meet with the school learners and other stakeholders that will be present.
“It is important to assert the constitutional rights of people and condemn any actions that cause divisions and undermine the learners and parents by race or colour.”
This is a developing story.
