The decision to close down the school comes after it allegedly relocated to another venue and operated under a new name without permission.
The department’s officials visited the school which it accused of operating illegally and were not granted access after the owners had locked the gates and closed the school.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane’s spokesperson, Xolani Mkhwemte said they were looking to take the school management team through compliance processes and assist with registration.
‘’We have made multiple attempts to reach out to the school’s management, through various forms of communication and physical visits with law enforcement agencies, but the school refuses to open its gates and respond to our communication,” he said.
Mkhwemte also highlighted that affected learners of the institution will be placed at alternative schools and has urged parents to contact the department for assistance.
The Academy was in the spotlight this week after a video of an altercation between a black family and a white man believed to be the principal’s husband, went viral, sparking a racism debate.
51-year-old Andries Booysen can be seen on the video forcefully removing the learner and her mother out of a classroom in front of other pupils, for allegedly violating the school’s new hair policy by wearing dreadlocks.
The racism debate continued on social media. One X user wrote ‘’Common assault at worst. A fine is
the most this man will face’’.
Another commented ‘’The day we stop taking our kids to white schools, heavens shall rejoice’’.
A case of common assault was opened with the Gauteng police and Booysen appeared briefly at the Midrand Magistrate’s Court where he was granted R2000 bail.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana says his bail conditions include ‘’not making any contact or interfering with state witnesses directly or indirectly’’.
The case was postponed to 2 October 2023 for further investigations.
