Hillcrest High 'protects racism': KZN Education to probe school

Five schoolboys were suspended earlier this year for using racial slurs in a WhatsApp conversation.

The school in the west of Durban has been accused of sweeping the matter under the carpet - a claim it denies.

READ: MEC to visit Hillcrest High amid racism spat

Newswatch was at the school when MEC Mbali Frazer visited on Thursday. 

After meeting with pupils this morning about their experiences, Frazer told reporters they were shocked by what they heard.

"We are not going to allow our schools to have racists," said Frazer. 

Some parents arrived at the school to take their children home while one mother came to share her daughter's experience.

"She has had an incident where she was chased by three white boys and basically called her names. When she took it up with the Grade Controller, nothing was done. They protect racism." 

ALSO READ: WATCH: Hillcrest High pupils speak of racism, sexism, bullying at school

Some pupils staged a brief picket following the meeting with the MEC. 

"If feels so unsafe being around these boys, especially because these boys are in our classes. There have been so many things that have led to this, so when this happened, we were like, this is enough. This school has made it a tradition to put blasters over wounds," one pupil said. 

MEC Frazer says a week-long probe will start on Friday.