Lawyers slam Girls High probe as one-sided

Pretoria High School for Girls Principal, Phillipa Erasmus’s lawyers are challenging the credibility of the Department of Education’s independent investigation into racism allegations at the school. 

They claim the probe, conducted by Mdladlamba Attorneys, was aggressive and one-sided, leading to recommendations of misconduct charges against Erasmus and other educators. 

Head of legal at teachers’ union SAOU, Dems Nel, criticised the probe’s approach as aggressive and invasive.

The investigation found that the school principal mishandled racism complaints from black pupils and staff and wasn’t transparent in her dealings with the wrongdoing. 

It further found she failed with her obligations under the county’s standard for principals.  

Additionally, she’s also accused of allowing her husband to misuse school resources and allowing him to issue irregular instructions to her staff. 

The investigation follows a public outcry over allegations of racism at the school, sparked in July by a leaked WhatsApp group chat by 12 female learners, allegedly hurling racist micro-aggressions at their black peers. 

The investigation confirmed a culture of racial tensions at the school. 

It included findings that some white educators did not greet their black counterparts because they thought they were cleaners. 

The investigation’s findings have recommended misconduct charges against Erasmus, the deputy principal, some educators, and the Estate Manager. 

The principal’s future remains uncertain, despite her having returned to work on Monday after a three-month suspension. 

Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, has confirmed that the department would soon act on these recommendations.

He expressed concerns over the lack of social cohesion at Pretoria High School for Girls, urging educators to take responsibility. 

“We cannot tolerate racism in our schools, these children learn this from somewhere, ” he said.