Africa-Press – South-Africa. Members of the Congress of South African Students
(Cosas) gathered outside Wessel Maree Secondary School in Odendaalsrus in the
Free State on Monday, after a teacher was suspended for pushing a pupil to the
ground.”We are here to uproot the racial activities
which are taking place at this school,” Cosas spokesperson Douglas Ngobeni
told News24.The group gathered at the school after a video of
the incident surfaced on social media.Education MEC Pule Makgoe said in a statement that
the department launched an investigation into the incident and later suspended
the teacher.”At this stage, we do not know all the details
pertaining to the incident,” Makgoe said.Makgoe continued: The investigation, once complete, will shed more light on what transpired. The department will, on the strength of the evidence at our disposal, then be able to make an informed decision on what action to take.Ngobeni added that on their arrival at the school
on Monday, “shocking details were revealed”.
‘Racial segregation'”The teacher, who has [allegedly] assaulted
the learner, is not even a qualified teacher. It is just a young boy who was
bored at home and his parents and friends decided to bring him to this school
to become a teacher.”Ngobeni said Cosas called on the department not to
lift the suspension.Ngobeni said: Obviously after his suspension, he will be granted an opportunity to come back to this school and community whereas he is not a qualified teacher.”We also found that there is racial
segregation at the school.”
Makgoe warned that there were people who would
attempt to use the incident to fan racial tension.”Our people must guard against such people. We
must work together for the good of our learners and must not allow opportunists
to drive a wedge between ourselves.”The MEC further appealed for calm and urged people
not to jump to conclusions.
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