DJ Cleo Take Action Against School That Allegedly Discriminated His Niece

DJ Cleo Take Action Against School That Allegedly Discriminated His Niece. DJ and Music Producer Cleo has taken legal action against Capricorn High School in Polokwane which his niece accused of mistreating her  and other black children racially because of their hair. The niece claimed that the school ordered her and others with braids and dreadlocks to cut off or straighten their hair.

They were allegedly asked to straighten their hair because they looked “untidy” and were accused of using their hair to hide drugs. When they refused and demanded their fellow coloured, Indian and white pupils also cut off their long hair, their student cards were confiscated and they were locked out of the school.Cleo being the uncle was obviously moved by the issue and decided to act on it in defence of his niece.

According to SowetanLive Cleo has filed a complaint with the Limpopo department of education through a written letter which read in part:

“It has been brought to my attention that black female learners are being discriminated against at Capricorn High School. We cannot, over 20 years into democracy, allow our children to be treated like sub-humans on the basis of their skin colour or hair texture. I’m pleading with the department to investigate this as a matter of urgency and expose the rot at the school. Black learners are told to cut off their dreadlocks and when they refuse, they are grounded.”

Limpopo government spokesman Phuthi Seloba confirmed they had received the letter and were investigating.

“We have sent the matter to the circuit manager to investigate it. But, as government we condemn this in the strongest terms possible. We have always maintained that school policy must be consistent with the constitution of this country. No learner should be discriminated against on the basis of how they look,” he said.

Cleo confirmed he complained to the office of the premier Stan Mathabatha.

“I have about six relatives in that school and five of them have been subjected to this sub-human treatment. it is appalling and unpalatable. This will not carry on on our watch,” he said.

He said his niece told him the drama started two weeks ago.

“My niece has afro hair, why tell her to cut it off because that is her hair? Why shouldn’t I think this was motivated by racism?” he said.

The school declined to comment.