EFF calls for suspension of Vredenburg Primary School principal for ‘extremely racist’ comment

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Thursday 19 February released a statement calling for the immediate suspension of Andre Muller “for denying a student access because of his hair”.

“It has come to the attention of the EFF Western Cape that a second-year student from Stellenbosch University was denied an opportunity to observe a class at Vredenburg Primary School by the principal of the school […] because of his hair”.

Racist incident at Vredenburg Primary School

Student humiliated at Vredenburg by principal

In addition to denying the second-year student access to the class, Muller reportedly also “repeatedly reminded the student that he is not welcomed in his ‘his’ school with that kind of hair”.

Muller reportedly claimed that the student would set a bad example for other students. As per the EFF’s statement, reporters questioned Muller and he replied, “My skool is nie die Boswell Wilkie-sirkus nie”. (Translation: “My school isn’t the Boswell Wilkie-circus”.)

Anyone who might feel as though it’s a harmless comment: Do understand that this comment refers to a circus parading animals for amusement. It is “extremely racist and deplorable” to refer to a Black child in such a manner, the EFF adds.

“It is extremely dehumanising that Muller reduces this African child to an animal amusement at a Boswell Circus. No Black or coloured child should suffer such humiliation in the manner that Muller has humiliated him”.

EFF calls for investigation into primary school ‘climate and culture’

As per the statement, incidents such as these must be “exposed, confronted and uprooted” from society. The party calls for Muller’s immediate suspension, and for a full investigation “into the climate and culture of the school”.

The party said it’s unacceptable for a principal to psychologically and emotionally bully a student in such a manner. Moreover, it is disturbing that “the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) would have such a racist as a principal of a school”.

“We call on the WC MEC for Education, Debbie Schaffer to immediately suspend Muller for this racist incident.”

EFF Western Cape calls for the immediate suspension of Andre Muller for denying a student access on the basis of his hair. @EFFSouthAfrica @Julius_S_Malema @DlaminiMarshall @DebbieSchafer @alanwinde @WesternCapeGov pic.twitter.com/Lv1ZOw0Jxd

— EFF_Western Cape (@EFFWesternCape_) February 19, 2021