Race clashes at school

2006-07-27 19:15

Johannesburg - Eight boys were arrested on Thursday after a fight between black and white pupils at the Westonaria High School in Westonaria.

Police spokesperson Sphiwe Ndlovu said police called to the school were told that grievances by black pupils against their white school mates "often" went unheard.

"So the black pupils, we were told, felt the teachers were ignoring their pleas whenever they reported their white school mates.

"We were told the fight has been going on since Monday, with black pupils accusing teachers of being biased... overlooking their complaints against white pupils," he said.

He said the school principal had called police when the situation got out of hand.

"Eight boys - five black and three white pupils - were arrested and a pair of scissors and a pepper spray were confiscated."

The boys - aged between 16 and 19 - are expected to appear in the Westonaria magistrate's court on Friday on charges of public violence.

But Ndlovu said one of the parents also opened a case of common assault case against the boys.

"The seven boys - who are minors according to the law - will be released onto the custody of their parents, but the one aged 19 will be kept overnight," he said.

- SAPA