Julius Malema Brackenfell

Photo: EFF / Twitter

Brackenfell: EFF vow to ‘teach racists humility like they did in Senekal’

The EFF have vowed to bring Brackenfell High to a standstill on Friday as they continue their protest against alleged racism at the school.

Julius Malema Brackenfell

Photo: EFF / Twitter

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have vowed to do everything in their power to totally halt operations at Brackenfell High School on Friday 20 November as they continue their protest against the racism-accused school. 

Following complaints received by the Red Berets in the Western Cape from parents of black students at the school, calls have been raised for the principal to resign, and protests turned ugly when parents of students clashed with members last week, leading to one arrest and the emergence of South Africa’s latest hotspot for racial tension. 

EFF vow to shut down Brackenfell  

The EFF said on their official twitter account on Tuesday 17 November that the previous incidents of violence that unfolded outside the gates of the school in question were “terror attacks” that cannot go unanswered.

“We did say that the terror attacks in Brackenfell will not go unanswered. On Friday we will descend and ensure that nothing operates,” they wrote. 

“They have pushed us, and they must prepare to be pushed harder. The WC EFF [will] protest against racism this Friday at Brackenfell High School at 10:00.” 

Exams rescheduled ahead of protest  

A subsequent tweet warned that anyone standing in their way would be ‘taught the same humility” as the EFF believe they dished out in Senegal in the Free State, where members of the party defended in October to counter-protest against farmers following the killing of 21-year-old Brendin Horner. 

“All those white racists who have an uncontrollable desire to control the movement of black people and dictate where we can and cannot go will be taught the humility we taught racists in Senekal,” they tweeted. 

Exams for grades 8-11 have been rescheduled ahead of the protest on Friday, and Western Cape Education Department head Debbie Schaefer has promised that Matric exams scheduled for that day will go ahead uninterrupted. 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been alerted to the possibility of further violence and disruption too. 

Interdict application denied  

Brackenfell High School sought an urgent interdict against the EFF on Monday, but were told that their application would be delayed by at least two weeks after Judge Siraj Desai postponed their application at the Western Cape High Court. 

A virtual meeting between the Brackenfell High School Governing Board and representatives from the EFF led to Desai postponing the matter until 2 December to allow the EFF time to respond to the application. In the meantime, the school will not be protected by the law when the EFF arrive on Friday morning.