The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed that MEC Panyaza Lesufi will meet with Hoërskool Jan Viljoen parents at 16:00 on Sunday February 20.

Parents of learners at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen clashed once again as they waited for the MEC to address them as promised on Thursday evening. The meeting was, however, brief and many left disappointed.

According to acting GDE spokesperson Oupa Bodibe, the meeting had to be postponed due to weather conditions as heavy rain fell on Thursday evening.

“We know parents sacrificed their time to attend the meeting, and patiently waited for the meeting to start. For this, we offer our deepest and sincere apology for the inconvenience. We are humbled by the significant turnout of parents and express our gratitude to the parents who turned up.”

Chaos broke out at the school on Monday after an altercation occurred between learners on February 11. This sparked allegations of racism and sexual misconduct at the school. Disgruntled parents, political parties and other members of society gathered outside the school gates. Some parents shouted at one another and revolutionary songs were chanted.

Lesufi said that the South African Human Rights Commission was contacted by the department to investigate the situation.

“I’m happy that they’ve already started with their work. As indicated in our last meeting, I spoke to the school governing body and they’ve agreed to suspend the staff member who was implicated by learners in terms of sexual harassment.”