South African parents injured in clashes over controversial school closure

At least five people were injured in a South African primary school protest when police used rubber bullets against parents throwing stones. The parents were protesting the temporary closure of Roodepoort Primary School in Gauteng, Johannesburg, while the school attempted to resolve an ongoing dispute over the controversial appointment of a black principal.

The protests come after months of unrest in the school. In February, police escorted the school’s principal to protect her from angry parents and community members. With many complaining about her competence, some called for her to be replaced by a coloured hire, while others denied the objection was about race.

The temporary closure of the school forced students to transfer to Lefhureng Primary School in Soweto, which upset a “minority” of parents, according to the Department of Education, and led to Tuesday’s clashes.