Lesufi reported to SAHRC: FF Plus

Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi has been reported to the South African Human Rights Commission for allegedly attempting to stoke racial tensions at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen on 11 February 2022. 

In a statement put out by Freedom Front Plus MPL Anton Alberts, the party claims that a conflict arose at the school among a few learners. Lesufi referred the matter to the SAHRC, and accused ‘Afrikaans learners and communities’ of racism. This included making accusations against a named learner of having instigated the conflict.

The statement said that it was ‘interesting to note’ that on his visits to the school he only interacted with black learners.

He also apportioned blame without waiting for the SAHRC to produce its report.

The FF Plus said that it had assisted families who were victimised by Lesufi to make statements to the SAHRC and had video footage proving its contentions regarding Lesufi.

The statement commented: ‘From the abovementioned evidence, it is clear that the incident which resulted in the racial clash at the school was initially caused by learners who simply refused to obey the school rules and who have no respect for those who are tasked with enforcing the rules. The root cause of the conflict is, therefore, a lack of discipline and not racism. Many black and white learners who were not involved in the conflict condemned it and confirmed that racism was not a factor.’

It added that the education department had not prepared teachers for their work in a multicultural school.