Court denies access to Pretoria Girls High School ‘racism’ investigation report

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has welcomed a Pretoria High Court ruling dismissing the School Governing Body’s (SGB) interim request to access a departmental investigation report following allegations of racism at Pretoria High School for Girls (PHSG).

The report, commissioned by the GDE, investigated allegations of racist behaviour among learners.

The SGB had sought access to the document as part of a judicial review, but the Court ruled it does not fall under Rule 53, which pertains only to documents reflecting decision-making processes in judicial reviews.

The Court emphasised that such information should be sought via the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and described attempts to obtain it through the courts as “forum shopping.”

The GDE said the judgment allows all parties to focus on the school’s core mission: the development and well-being of its learners.

“The GDE remains committed to supporting Pretoria High School for Girls on its journey toward transformation, stability, and excellence,” the Department said.

However, author and attorney Richard Wilkinson described the Court’s decision as “absurd” and suggested it is likely to be taken to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

“The fact is, you had a witch hunt against a principal, she was suspended for a month and given a final written warning, but she cannot access that investigative report that guided it. It’s ludicrous,” he said.

Wilkinson, who has closely followed the PHSG controversy, argues that the saga is not isolated but indicative of broader issues in state interventions at well-performing “model C” schools.

He highlighted a previous Labour Court ruling compelling the GDE to finalise a grievance lodged by PHSG principal Phillipa Erasmus over alleged intimidation and abuse by a departmental official.

The grievance, lodged in October 2024, concerned misconduct by an official who allegedly allowed pupils to harass Erasmus and other teachers without intervention.

The PHSG saga

The controversy at PHSG erupted in July 2024 following claims that a “whites-only” WhatsApp group led to suspensions and disciplinary action against 12 learners, who were later cleared.

Despite this, the GDE launched a separate probe, which saw several senior staff suspended.

Disciplinary proceedings against principal Erasmus ultimately found her guilty on two minor charges unrelated to racism, which Wilkinson derided as “really just allegations of misgovernance” and mockingly summarised as being “guilty of pruning the roses.”

Wilkinson and other critics, including Democratic Alliance MPL Sergio Isa Dos Santos, say the department has become increasingly erratic and politically motivated in its handling of disciplinary issues.

Wilkinson described the GDE as a “deeply untrustworthy and sinister provincial education department” and warns that the PHSG case is part of a broader trend of “school capture,” involving a network of consultants, media, politicians, and sometimes unethical lawyers.

He also highlighted the role of media in amplifying the controversy, citing a successful Press Council case against the Daily Maverick for biased reporting.

Wilkinson argues that exposing these patterns is essential to protecting not just one school or principal, but the integrity of South Africa’s education system.