Laerskool Nelspruit shuts its doors ahead of EFF protest
The Mbombela primary school has decided to temporarily shut its doors amid threats by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to picket at its premises on Tuesday.
Laerskool Nelspruit announced that the primary and its pre-school, Nellie Miere, will be closed on Tuesday due to concerns over learners’ safety.
Chair of the School Governing Body (SGB), Charles Nel, says the children’s safety is a priority.
“We received notice by the EFF of a peaceful protest. The reasons why they have this protest action are changing every hour. We as the governing body have taken the decision that the safety of the children, teachers and parents is of priority.”
The EFF’s Collen Sedibe says black people are being excluded from the school.
“We received a lot of complaints from parents around Nelspruit. They say Nelspruit Primary is not able to admit their children because they are full and don’t have space.”
Sedibe believes the Afrikaans school is deliberately neglecting English-speaking pupils.
“You find that there is five classes of Afrikaans for Grade 1 but only 1 English class. They must correct that,” says Sedibe.
Nel says security has been stepped up at the school.