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A clash between members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and residents outside of Brackenfell High School on Monday, November 9 has led to the arrest of a 39-year-old man. The suspect has been arrested for public violence after he allegedly fired shots outside the school.

Both public order police units (POP) and other law enforcement agencies were called to restore order as the clash escalated and mayhem ensued. This is not the first time in the past week that such an incident has transpired at the Northern suburbs school.

“’It is alleged that a member of the public fired shots. A case of public violence was opened for investigation,” said South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana. “A 39-year-old suspect that is yet to be processed was arrested. Police took action to disperse the crowd, no injuries were reported and no other arrests were effected at this stage. Police will remain in the area until law and order is restored.”

The EFF protested at the school on Friday, November 9. Members of political party demanded that two teachers and the principal be fired for attending a private matric function that was attended by only white pupils and parents. The EFF also demanded that the school issue an apology to its parents and pupils of colour for excluding them from the event.

While the Western Cape Department of Education has said that it cannot take nay legal action against the school for the matric ball as it was a private event, it is currently investigating the school for alleged racist practices in its hiring practices. There are currently two coloured teachers and 40 white teachers, and no black educator has been employed by the school since 1994.

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Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.