100 pupils clash in race brawl
2006-07-27 23:34
Pieter Jordaan and Eduan Roos
Johannesburg - Racial tension boiled over at Westonaria High School on Thursday, with up to 100 black and white pupils slinging racist insults while others were slugging it out.
Eight pupils were arrested after the clashes, during which some of the boys allegedly threatened each other with scissors.
One of those in custody is believed to be a prefect.
The boys - aged between 16 and 18 - have been suspended provisionally.
It's claimed that during the altercation, a school teacher held one of the boys so that others could beat him up.
"It was an ugly scene," said one of the school's security guards, who were called when the fighting broke out.
The West Rand teens are due to appear in Westonaria magistrate's court on Friday on charges of public violence and assault.
Their furious parents gathered on Thursday at the police station where the boys were being held.
According to some parents, the fight is a sequel to regular confrontations between white and black pupils lately.
Afraid to go back
The father of one of the boys told Beeld: "My son was threatened that he would be 'sorted out' after a punch-up on Wednesday regarding stolen school bags.
Another parent said her child was afraid to go back to school as racial tension was the order of the day.
"Our children have to write their record examination soon, but this might not be possible now as the school management did not act on the situation soon enough."
Captain Siphiwe Ndlovu of the police said they had received a complaint about fighting at the school.
"The police went to the school and arrested eight children," Ndlovu said.
"Those who are minors have been released into the custody of their parents, but for those over 18 bail of R300 was set.
Wasn't told of assault
Deputy principal Daphné Kemp said the school was conducting an internal investigation into the fight.
She refused to comment further.
A parent of one of the boys arrested said her son was "seriously assaulted" at the school on Wednesday and that she had not been told about it.
"My son was accused of stealing a schoolbag belonging to one of the white pupils, and they started hitting him.
"The missing bag was later found somewhere else," she said.