‘Remove abusive principal’
PROTEST: Parents at Riebeeck Street Primary PROTEST: Parents at Riebeeck Street Primary
They say the principal, Mr Steven Cloete, a tyrant who is damaging their children.
He is also accused of sexually assaulting staff and klapping old ladies at the school.
The parents also claim Cloete banned the school governing body (SGB), “meaning any appointments of new staff is being overseen by him only”.
Children are allegedly being chased off the school grounds when they arrive late.
Outside the school in Riebeeck Street, African National Congress ward councillor, Delmaine Cottee, says he has come to support the parents.
“The community came to me for answers as to why the principal is not adequately doing his job,” he says.
“How can children be thrown off the school premises and treated so badly? How can he as a man smack a 60-year-old lady when she came to ask about her grandchild? Two secretaries left after he sexually harassed them. He is a menace to this school and the community.”
Parents and children waved posters, shouting for him to go. Some posters read, “Enough is enough” and “Out with Cloete”.
“He tells our children they are dom and they will never get anywhere in life and that is their future. That is not motivation. He needs to go,” says mom Carol Williams, 46.
Jessica Shelver, the spokesperson for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, says the department has received no official complaints against the palie.
“We are informed that 10 adults were protesting outside of the school. We urge those who are making these accusations to come forward with information so that we can investigate them,” said Shelver.