Johannesburg – The husband of the Crowthorne Christian Academy principal who allegedly assaulted the mother of a child with dreadlocks the school did not like has been arrested and released on bail.
Alleged violent bully, 51-year-old Andries Hendrik Booysen, appeared at the Midrand Magistrates Court on Thursday on two charges of assault before he was released on R2 000 bail.
The case stems from an incident that happened on 14 August 2023, where there was a disagreement between the Crowthorne Christian Academy school principal and a mother regarding her daughter’s dreadlock hairstyle.
The argument resulted in the school principals husband (Booysen), allegedly violently pushing the learner and her mother.
National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Booysen was arrested earlier today, (17 August 2023), and was released on bail of R2 000, on condition that he should not make any contact or interfere with state witnesses, whether directly or indirectly.
The case was postponed to 2 October 2023 for further investigations.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Department of Basic Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said Crowthorne Christian Academy was operating illegally because it had relocated from its previous location and changed its name without following the correct procedure for private schools.
The school was properly licensed before it moved.
Earlier on Thursday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) descended on the school, but the gates were locked and no schooling was taking place.
The EFF said it condemns in the “strongest terms the racism at Crowthorne Christian Academy”.
“The school made a racist decision to dismiss a 13-Year-Old learner, Tynil Gcabashe, from class, because she has dreadlocks,” the EFF stated.
“The school principal, Tanya Booysen is reported to have said the learner will not be allowed back to school unless her dreadlocks are shaved-off.”
The EFF said the unacceptable policy was predicated on the racist notion that natural hair means relaxed and straightened hair inherent to White people, whereas curly hair and dreadlocks – characteristic of black peoples hair – were considered unnatural and therefore prohibited from the school.
The EFF said it “condemns the school and its policy which effectively institutionalises racism by raising White people’s genotypical and phenotypical characteristics as the standard for what is natural and those of African People as unnatural”.
The EFF added: “We deplore such a policy because it seeks to suggest there is something abnormal and problematic about African people and our blackness and that we must strive and evolve to a higher and more acceptable standard, Whiteness.
“Moreover, we also note the fact that the school is not fully registered with the Department of Education.”
The EFF said schools were allowed to operate without being fully registered.
“Because they are run by white people and a racist perception is created that everything white is legitimate,” the EFF said.
