SAHRC approached after KZN school bars pupils over long hair
The IFP has laid a complaint with the Human Rights Commission after two high school pupils in Newcastle were barred from their school for refusing to cut their hair.
The families of the Grade 9 learners say they explained to their teacher at Osizweni High School that keeping their hair long is a requirement of their Nazareth Baptist Church also known as Shembe.
The teenage boys have since been allowed back at school after the principal intervened and they agreed to keep their hair neat.
The IFP's Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa says what's happened is unconstitutional.
"According to the policies of the Department of Education, national and provincial, kids cannot be discriminated against because of their race, colour and their belief.
"If they are believing in the Nazareth Baptist Church, the school has no right to force them to cut their hair," he said.
(File photo)