Dugmore
16 April 2007
Following media reports and a subsequent complaint from an Oudtshoorn parent
regarding an alleged racial attack on his son at the Langenhoven Gymnasium High
School, Education MEC Cameron Dugmore has instituted an inquiry and wishes to
make the following announcement:
I have now received two preliminary reports on the incident, in which a
cellphone video clip captured an alleged racial violent assault on a learner at
the school. From the reports it seems clear to me that we need a more extensive
process to probe the underlying issues that led to this incident. Subsequent to
the incident in question, we have also received a petition from the community.
Clearly the issues raised in the petition require a more in-depth inquiry.
I have therefore asked the Head of the Western Cape Education Department, Mr
Ron Swartz, to lead a process of establishing a commission of inquiry,
consisting of both head office staff and district officials to investigate the
context within which this specific incident took place as well as other issues
raised by the community in the petition and to make recommendations. In this
regard, we have approached the Human Rights Commission to consider a request to
become part of such a process.
In terms of Langenhoven Gymnasium itself, the department will be requesting
the school governing body to urgently institute a process of formal
disciplinary hearings against all the learners allegedly involved. The alleged
victim is back at school now and our district office is monitoring the
situation on a daily basis. Further investigations will also be conducted into
the role of both the teacher and the principal in this incident, as well as
advice on systemic interventions required to address broader issues of
diversity management.
This process will now be managed by the department, given that as MEC, the
appeals authority is vested in me. The report and recommendations must be
concluded by the end of May. We must acknowledge that many of our schools are
facing similar challenges, for example about two years ago we had racial
tensions at Ned Doman in Athlone and just recently a task team investigated
issues of racism and education provisioning in some schools on the West
Coast.
There can be no place for racism, abuse and intolerance in any of our
schools. As a department we are committed to making sure that the Western Cape
is a learning home for all its children.
For enquiries, contact:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
16 April 2007
