A MTHWAKAZI Republic Party (MRP) activist is in prison for allegedly challenging the interrogation of Plumtree students after they clashed with their teacher over the controversial heritage studies curriculum.
The activist, Mkhululi Jele, who is the MRP national youth chairperson, was picked up at his home on Tuesday morning. His lawyer Thuto Mavula said Jele was charged with disorderly conduct in a public place.
“Jele denies the allegation that he banged at Phakamani High School headmaster’s office door while a meeting with two [police] detectives and the pupils was ongoing,” he said.
Mavula said Jele instead went to the school to find out why learners were being interrogated without their parents’ consent.
“Police broke the door of his residence and arrested him. It is a bizarre and excessive operation considering the charge they are preferring against him,” he said.
“They acted like he was a murderer when you look at the manpower they used to arrest him. They even had dogs.”
Mavula said Jele had the right to demand answers from the school head over the involvement of State security agents in school matters.
“Jele, as a member of the community, had a right to petition the headmaster why the interviews were being conducted by State security (agents) and not by the Ministry of [Primary and Secondary] Education,” he said.
“Communities have a right to petition considering the marginalisation. I believe Jele has been targeted as he is a member of a political party.”
Jele appeared in court yesterday, where Mavula filed for bail and the matter is pending.
The students confronted their teacher, accusing her of misleading them on matters to do with language, culture and heritage.
The incident sparked debate, with stakeholders saying the curriculum has to be revisited as it was in contempt of some tribes and their traditions.
