Pretoria — The 12 Pretoria High School for Girls learners who were suspended for alleged racism in a school WhatsApp group, were found not guilty following a panel review.
The 12 learners were suspended after it was found that they had made alleged racial remarks towards black learners in a whites-only WhatsApp group.
The Gauteng Department of Education launched an investigation and subsequently suspended the school principal after it was reported that she knew about the alleged racism, but failed to do anything about it.
The school’s acting principal, Danica Stoffberg, sent a letter to the school community to confirm the review outcome. She confirmed that a three-person panel, led by a legal practitioner, found that the 12 learners, which included eight school prefects, were found to be not guilty and will be reinstated to the school.
She was satisfied that the process was conducted fairly and transparently and believes there are lessons to be learnt from this situation.
“Let us work together to create an environment where teaching and learning can continue, and every learner feels valued and empowered to succeed,” she said.
She reiterated that the school will remain dedicated to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for both learners and staff.
Result!#Pretoria High School for Girls bogus racism hearing outcome. Racists lose their effort to harm others! pic.twitter.com/g7b8uiZnS4
— Colonel (Ret) Chris Wyatt (@wmwchris) August 2, 2024
The Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona, was disappointed with the way the school handled the report, having failed to provide the department with an official report of the outcome, he told Newzroom Afrika.
“We are disappointed, not by the outcome, but about us not being provided with the report. As it were, this is quite a serious matter, which we have been working on throughout the entire week,” he said.
He said the department now has to wait for the official correspondence before it can comment on the way forward. Mabona added that the department was also disappointed that there were no reasons given behind the hearing or the extent of the investigation claims.
“As soon as we are ahold of the report, which we will then analyse what the report is telling us, we will be in a position to pronounce on the way forward,” he said.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona says they are disappointed that Pretoria High School for Girls did not provide them with a report on the matter of the 12 pupils who were cleared of racism charges.
Watch: https://t.co/UUGMDrRcbf#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/jwIqpSwkfG
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 2, 2024
Sadtu is calling for a thorough investigation of Pretoria Girls School racism allegations following the clearing of 12 pupils on racism allegations. Sadtu spokesperson Nomusa Cembi says there has to be an explanation on
who conducted the investigation and how they arrived at this… pic.twitter.com/uXvUaISZga— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 2, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
