Racism row school head suspended

The "abuse" was exposed by parent, Busisiwe Mokoena, who was allegedly called "baboon" over the phone by the head of Grade 9 on Thursday last week

A Witbank principal, his wife and a teacher have been suspended following allegations of abuse.

Following an article in The Times yesterday, the Mpumalanga education department suspended Reynopark High School principal, his wife (a Grade 12 teacher) and the head of Grade 9 pending an investigation into allegations of racism, corporal punishment and verbal and emotional abuse.

The "abuse" was exposed by parent, Busisiwe Mokoena, who was allegedly called "baboon" over the phone by the head of Grade 9 on Thursday last week.

Mokoena opened cases of assault and crimen injuria yesterday.

Sergeant David Ratau of Witbank police encouraged parents to come forward and lay charges as it was "not too late".

Yesterday, another mother spoke out about alleged abuse.

Zanele Mtsunki alleged her son was told on his first day of Grade 8 last year that "you are so black, you will never change. You will always remain a k***** ."

The boy continues to beg his mother to be removed from the school. He has also asked her for cream to help lighten his dark complexion.

Education spokesman Jasper Zwane said the deputy principal will run the school for now.

Poppy Louw