Pupils allegedly beaten by teachers
Lusikisiki Grade 10 misses exams after being hospitalised due to assault
Two Eastern Cape school pupils were severely assaulted, allegedly by teachers, with one so severely beaten that she was hospitalised, while the other is recovering at home.
Anitha Dokotela, a Grade 10 pupil at Toli Senior Secondary School in Lusikisiki, had to miss three examinations this week as she was hospitalised after a deputy principal allegedly mercilessly beat her because she was “walking too slow” and was “cheeky”.
She was admitted at St Elizabeth Hospital because she was struggling to walk.
In the second case, an unnamed Grade 10 pupil from Osborn Senior Secondary School in KwaBhaca is still nursing her injuries after she was also allegedly assaulted by a teacher on Wednesday for not attending extra classes.
The incident was confirmed department on Friday.
Anitha’s mother, Nontembeko Dokotela, wants justice for her 18-year-old daughter.
While the police are investigating a case of by the education assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, the department of education has suspended the deputy principal, with MEC Fundile Gade saying such action would not be tolerated from teachers.
Anitha’s assault comes after the department said teachers would have to personally foot the bill in cases where they were responsible for litigation cases because corporal punishment was against the law.
The angry mother, who works in East London, claimed teachers had tried to persuade her not to lay criminal charges against the deputy principal.
“He must pay for what he [allegedly] did. I want justice for my child,” the mother said.
Anitha said she and other pupils were outside the classroom when the deputy principal instructed them to go to class.
“He was carrying a stick. He started assaulting me, saying I was walking slowly and was cheeky.”
Anitha said she later went to the teacher to show him the bruises she says he caused.“He gave me painkillers,” she said.
The following day, Anitha’s father, Mxolisi Socikwa, went to the school to demand answers as to why his child had been assaulted. Teachers apparently apologised.
Socikwa took her to hospital on Tuesday. She was admitted to hospital.
The father opened a case with the police on Thursday. Police spokesperson Captain Nozuko Handile confirmed they were investigating a case of assault GBH.
Commenting on the KwaBhaca case, provincial education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima, said a team had been dispatched to establish the facts. “We will give this matter the attention it deserves,” he said. Gade said corporal punishment had to stop.