Anti ‘Whites Only School’ Protesters Clash with Police in SA
Rubber bullets, stun grenades, tear gas and water cannon have been used on protesters at a South African school accused of staging a “whites-only” prom.
Hundreds of demonstrators from the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party gathered at Brackenfell High School in Cape Town, in a predominantly white neighbourhood, on Friday.Some of the mainly black protesters were seen carrying machetes, sticks and golf clubs, but were met by a heavy police and private security presence, some of whom were in riot gear.
Anger was triggered by the holding of a school prom held earlier this month to which, allegedly, only white pupils were invited. It was organised after the original party for students taking school-leaving exams was cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions, and limited to 100. The school has defended the function, insisting it was a private function organised by parents and had nothing to do with them, but it is alleged that teachers attended.
By Eric Knight