On 9 November 2020, a group of EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) members were violently attacked by Brackenfell community members as they arrived to protest alleged racism at the school. The protests came after a “whites only” high school farewell banquet was hosted by the parents of some students at Brackenfell High School. There was outrage after photos of the event were posted on the school's official social media pages.

One of the Brackenfell community members was filmed attacking a woman with what appeared to be a baseball bat. The attacks received widespread condemnation and inflamed racial tensions in the country.

Two men were arrested for involvement in the attacks on the EFF supporters. Dante van Wyk was arrested for assault and Jaco Pretorious was arrested for firing a firearm in public. Both cases are currently before the courts.