Bloemfontein's prestigious Grey College Secondary School is a ticking time bomb on race, the chairperson of its governing body says in court papers. According to a Volksblad report, the school governing body (SGB) is opposing an application by headmaster, Deon Scheepers to be re-instated after the SGB decided to strip him of his powers.

Scheepers says he is an employee of the Department of Basic Education and cannot be stripped of his powers by the SGB.

Henry Buchner, the SGB chairperson, says in an affidavit that Scheepers has neither the necessary insight nor strength of leadership to handle delicate situations. He notes an incident in which black pupils were dissatisfied when their white class-mates did not sing certain parts of the national anthem.

The black boys took off their ties in protest.

In another incident, black leaders were involved in a confrontation with a teacher in a matter they perceived to be race-related.

According to Buchner, some 25 to 30 teachers attended a meeting last year which ended in frustration with the headmaster. The SGB gave him time over the December holidays to come up with a strategy to deal with issues at the school, but claims he failed.

The application is scheduled to be heard in the Free State High Court on Friday.

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