The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said that it served the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) with a notice of allegations over the claims of alleged racism at Brackenfell High School.
The SAHRC commissioner Andre Gaum said the school has to issue a formal reply to the allegations and that the Commission has requested a meeting at their offices on Thursday [November 26] to discuss the matter.
The meeting will be attended by the SAHRC, WCED, as well as the school governing and learner bodies, in order to explore the matter in-depth, according to the Citizen.
On Tuesday [November 24], the SAHRC announced that it is investigating more than 20 complaints related to the controversial matric farewell party hosted by parents at the school, which gave rise to a series of protests against racism and skirmishes.
Gaum said that besides the SAHRC’s investigation, which is related to alleged discrimination at the school, a number of complaints about hate speech have been lodged.
The Commission also said it will take the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) to the Equality Court after their protestors chanted “One Settler, One Bullet” in Brackenfell last week, according to News24.
It is also looking into 12 complaints related to members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) singing “Shoot the Boer” outside Brackenfell High School on November 6.
The SAHRC and Equality Court, have both previously determined that the slogan amounts to hate speech.
“The commission is gathering evidence and will, on the basis thereof, decide how to pursue the allegations,” said Gaum.
“However, with regard to the ‘One Settler, One Bullet’ allegations against the PAC, we believe that there is a prima facie case to be made and will take this matter to the Equality Court.”
Picture: Screenshot from video