Eskom, South Africa’s national electricity supplier, has issued a statement addressing its connection to Andries Hendrik Booysen, who is currently embroiled in a race row surrounding Crowthorne Academy.
Eskom explains links to Crowthorne Academy accused, Andries Hendrik Booysen
The academy’s principal is Booysen’s wife, and he has faced assault charges following a contentious incident at the school.
Eskom’s statement categorically stated that Andries Hendrik Booysen is not employed by the national electricity supplier.
The electricity company clarified that he was previously associated with Eskom as a contractor through a third party.
“However, he was employed by a third-party contractor to Eskom until July 2021. We are further investigating if he may be subcontracted to any of Eskom’s suppliers,” Eskom explained.
Background on the Incident
The incident that has drawn attention to Crowthorne Academy and Booysen unfolded on Monday, 14 August 2023.
The altercation arose from a disagreement between the school’s principal and the mother of a Grade 8 pupil regarding the school’s hair policy.
The focal point of the dispute was the student’s dreadlock hairstyle, which the academy considered a breach of its policy.
As tensions escalated during the confrontation, it is alleged that Andries Hendrik Booysen, the husband of the school’s principal, became physically involved in a violent altercation with both the student and her mother.
A video recording of this purported incident quickly spread across various social media platforms.
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EFF Calls for Action
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has taken a strong stance on the matter.
The political party has called for the provincial education department to expedite its investigation into the incident, which led to the removal of a student from Crowthorne Christian Academy due to her dreadlocks.
Nkululeko Dunga, the EFF Gauteng chairperson, condemned the academy’s hair policy, deeming it a form of institutionalised racism. He criticised the policy for elevating white individuals’ characteristics as the standard, implying that traits common among African people are unnatural or unacceptable.
“The EFF Gauteng stands in full solidarity with the victimized learner and her family and we call on swift action from the Gauteng Department of Education in ensuring that the school and those responsible are brought to book,” Dunga said.
In the wake of the incident, Crowthorne Christian Academy has been indefinitely closed.
Meanwhile, Booysen was arrested and subsequently appeared in the Midrand Magistrate’s Court on two charges of assault. He has been released on bail amounting to R2 000 and is scheduled to return to court on 2 October 2023.