Bonile Khanyi
The first day of school at Hoërskool Overvaal in Vereeninging turned violent when a parent and protesters had a scuffle.
The man, who was dropping off his daughter, threw a zap sign at the group of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and African National Congress (ANC) supporters who were outside the school protesting against the school’s Afrikaans-only language policy. The parent also tried to stop a black parent from driving past the school. He was then punched.
A parent recovers from a blow from a disgruntled EFF member who punched him in the face after he stopped a black parent from driving past Hoërskool Overvaal. The parent, earlier pulled a zap sign at the EFF protesters. Video and Pictures: Neo Goba pic.twitter.com/GkeJzUDlrK
— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) January 17, 2018
#HoërskoolOvervaal Ian Cameron from AfriForum says the parent who was involved in an altercation with protestors earlier provoked the protestors. pic.twitter.com/26HrbuwJkP
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) January 17, 2018
#HoërskoolOvervaal: EFF member Azwi Tshitangano says: “That white fellow came and insulted us, he cannot call black people mase p****. If they want violence, we will meet them with violence. If they want peace, we will meet them with peace.” @News24 @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/jxHvnt3OpD
— Iavan Pijoos (@iavanpijoos) January 17, 2018
EFF supporters were demonstrating outside the school, to voice out their frustrations about the recent ruling by the North Gauteng High court to set aside the Gauteng education department’s decision to force the school to enrol an additional 55 pupils.
Judge Bill Prinsloo said based on the overwhelming weight of the evidence‚ the Afrikaans-medium school had no capacity to admit the English-speaking learners‚ let alone to do so at such short notice and to convert to a double-medium school.
But many are not happy with this decision as they say it is blatant discrimination and racism.
#HoerskoolOvervaal #Back2School these two parents aren’t pleased with the situation. pic.twitter.com/uTk8FqWiBo
— KhayelihleKhumalo (@KhayaJames) January 17, 2018
Police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd after violence broke out.
