Racial tension at school boils over

Racial tension that allegedly has been brewing at Hoërskool die Adelaar for the past two years resulted in various incidents of violence since last Friday (28 August).

A 17-year-old coloured pupil at the school, Roger Parker, was approached by two young black men after school on Friday. According to Roger the two men, armed with golf clubs and knives, showed their intention to rob him but he was joined by four of his friends and a fight ensued. Roger claims that the principal and his wife were watching but did nothing to stop the fight.

The following Monday the same two men arrived at the school at approximately 7.30am – this time not only armed with golf clubs but according to one source they also had a firearm in a bag. Roger escaped the wrath of the two men again and luckily the principal could prevent another incident. Although the police was called, Roger says they never arrived.

On the same day a black boy pelted one of Roger’s friends with a rotten egg. The next day the friend’s older brother did the same to the black boy. Again the principal managed to calm the situation and made the boys make peace.

The black boy allegedly decided not to leave it at that and after school while Roger and two of his friends were on their way to their transport the boy’s two older brothers and four taxi drivers were waiting for them. They allegedly forced one of Roger’s friends into a vehicle and threatened that they would kill him. Roger then confronted them and another fight ensued. This time a whole group of the school’s pupils came to Roger’s rescue. One of the taxi drivers was beaten up so badly that he had to be taken to hospital. In the process of trying to stop the fight the principal allegedly also got hit.

On Wednesday the parents were called to the school. Roger and his two friends were suspended pending an internal hearing on Friday.

Roger’s parents Joey and Clayton Parker as well as the mother of one of his friends are unhappy for several reasons.

Roger’s mother wants to know why, if the trouble already started on Friday, were the parents not informed. All the parents agree that security at the school is of great concern since there is no security guard on duty and strangers come and go as they please.

The parents say in the past two years there were various incidents along racial lines between the black and coloured pupils.

The school has declined to comment and referred the matter to the Department of Education. The latter could not be reached by the time of publication.