No disciplinary over T-shirt row

An investigation into racism at a private school in KwaZulu-Natal could nullify charges against three pupils who posted pictures of themselves on social media with T-shirt supporting the EFF while wearing their school uniform.

Maritzburg College’s code of conduct forbids pupils from associating with political parties while in school uniform. After a number of allegations of racism against the school, the provincial education department intervened.

“We have halted the disci- plinary process for a full-scale investigation,’ said department spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa.

“The disciplinary hearing may not even happen because when we deal with the symptoms we are likely to defeat the disease.”

He said the manner in which the school had been handling alleged incidences of racism was “unsatisfactory”.

The EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi told The Citizen the party had been giving legal assistance to the parents of the pupils facing disciplinary action, adding that the department had little power to force the school to change its code of conduct.

“The department is saying it’s an order. If it’s an order it means they are talking to a subordinate who must simply comply. But that’s not true. What has happened is that Maritzburg College said it is going to consult with the department,” Ndlozi said. “The charges must not be negotiated. They must fall because whatever piece of law they are using is inconsistent with the constitution. People have freedom of speech, they’ve got the freedom to associate with any political party of their choice.”

But Mthethwa reiterated that schools were subject to individual codes of conduct.

The pupils were ordered back to school.