Pretoria Girls High Principal Cleared of Racism Allegations, Found Guilty on Other Charges

As the dust settles on a heated disciplinary process, deeper questions emerge about education governance and power dynamics in South Africa’s schools

After months of tension, suspended hearings, and swirling public debate, Pretoria High School for Girls principal Phillipa Erasmus has officially been cleared of failing to act on alleged racism at the school, a charge that made headlines last year and sparked widespread concern.

However, the Gauteng Department of Education didn’t walk away empty-handed. Erasmus was found guilty of two lesser misconduct charges, including allowing her husband to help out in the school gardens and participate in school-related activities, unpaid, while using a vehicle purchased by the school governing body. She was also found guilty of irregularities related to the appointment of the school’s financial manager.

The final sanction from the disciplinary hearing is still pending.

Racism Allegation Falls Apart

The disciplinary charge related to Erasmus’s alleged failure to enforce the school’s disciplinary code stemmed from July 2023, when a group of 12 white matric learners were accused of sharing racist messages on a “whites-only” WhatsApp group. The claims sparked outrage, student protests, and media scrutiny.

However, the presiding officer of the disciplinary hearing, Mr. V. Phephenyani, found that there was no substance to the employer’s claim, clearing Erasmus of the most serious accusation.

A previous investigation conducted by attorney Charles Mdladlamba had recommended action against Erasmus and several school staff, citing procedural failures, but the disciplinary process ultimately dismissed the racism-related charges.

Legal Experts and Union Cry Foul Over ‘Shifting Narrative’

Lawyer and activist Richard Wilkinson, who has followed the case closely, believes the department shifted the narrative once the racism charge could not be substantiated.

“Having finally abandoned the ‘racism’ narrative, the department simply shifted tactics,” Wilkinson said. “This was never about racism, it’s about power, control, and the political capture of schools. It’s an old story in a new uniform.”

The South African Teachers’ Union (SAOU), which represented Erasmus during her hearing, echoed this sentiment. SAOU spokesperson Dems Nel said Erasmus was never directly charged with racism, only with failing to implement the school’s code of conduct.

Nel also criticised the lack of transparency in the investigative process.

“To date, the contents of the department’s investigative report have not been made public. Even those who were charged have not had the chance to see it,” she said.

Volunteer Husband, School Vehicle at Centre of Guilty Verdicts

The misconduct charges that did stick relate to Erasmus’s husband, Mike Erasmus, who helped maintain the school gardens for free and was allowed to use a school vehicle purchased by the governing body , not the education department.

While the charges seem minor to many observers, they carry real consequences. Under the Employment of Educators Act, Erasmus could face penalties ranging from a verbal warning to suspension without pay or demotion. SAOU says it’s waiting for the presiding officer’s decision before considering whether to challenge the outcome.

Community Reaction: More Questions Than Closure

For many Pretoria Girls High stakeholders, parents, learners, and teachers, the saga has raised more questions than answers. Was Erasmus targeted for political reasons? Was the handling of the racism allegations fair? Why hasn’t the full investigation been released?

On social media and within school WhatsApp groups, some parents have expressed support for Erasmus, calling her “principled” and “a victim of departmental politics.” Others remain wary, saying that even if she was cleared of racism-related charges, the underlying concerns at the school remain unresolved.

What’s at Stake for Education Governance?

This case is no longer just about one principal, it’s about the broader tensions within South Africa’s public school system, especially the power struggle between provincial departments, governing bodies, and educators.

If Erasmus is penalised for relatively minor infractions after being cleared of major misconduct, many in the education sector fear it could set a dangerous precedent: punishing principals not for what they’ve done, but for who they are or who they’ve defied.

As SAOU waits for the final ruling, and Erasmus considers her next legal steps, one thing is certain, this case won’t be fading from public memory any time soon.

{Source: The Citizen}

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