The hearing was convened to probe these allegations as well as unrest in the community of Eldorado Park. They are taking place in Eldorado Park and Braamfontein.

The first day saw community members, the police and civic organisations make submissions on the situation at the school and in the community.

Most were vehement in their denial that the protests at Klipspruit-West had anything to do with race, stressing they were rather a result of underlying issues that had been brewing for several years.

This narrative was repeated on the second day, with parents and former school governing body (SGB) members denying they were racist, and blaming unrest at the school on its teachers.

Vocal on this point was former SGB member Shirley Matthews, who accused certain teachers of terrorising pupils. “The school is suffering because those four teachers are terrorising our children,” she said. “And it hasn’t just been for the past two years – for years now. That’s why we questioned if they can do this (abuse kids), how worse will the incoming principal be?”

A passionate Matthews defended her views, denying they could be deemed racist. She also denied claims that the community was racist, saying Klipspruit did not know racism until the four teachers came along.