Parents open common assault case against high school principal

Police are investigating an alleged assault on a pupil by a high school principal in Mdantsane.

A case of common assault was opened by the parents.

Education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said they were appalled that there was a pending case against the principal and would be visiting the school on Monday to find solutions.

Provincial police spokesperson Lt-col Siphokazi Mawisa said: “Police can confirm that an incident took place in one of the schools in Mdantsane on Monday.

“No arrest has been made and the investigation is ongoing.”

A guardian of the minor, who is not being named to protect the minor, said he arranged a meeting during the week to speak to the school authorities about the incident.

“We went to the school to attend to reasons that led to the incident.

“Instead, we were scolded by the school and told to go and report the issue to district education.”

He said they were attended to but were not given a way forward.

“We decided to open a case at the police because we were not given a clear direction on the matter.

“The child was taken to see a doctor during the week. “He has bruises,” he said. Mtima said the matter had been reported to the circuit manager by the school.

“The parents of the learner, together with the child, had a brief consultation with the circuit manager on Thursday at 11am.

“The circuit manager convened an urgent meeting with the principal and the parents of the child for Monday at 8am at Rubusana,” he said.

Mtima said the circuit manager was shocked to learn that there was a police case against the school.

He said according to the school, this was a disciplinary matter.

The mother of the child had been called to the school as the discipline issue had to do with drug use.

The pupil insulted and assaulted the principal among other allegations, Mtima said.

The child had been referred for drug testing and the results were submitted to the school.

The disciplinary matter had started as per the school’s code of conduct for pupils.

“The circuit manager will be at school on Monday morning to support the school in the interest of the child and effective schooling,” Mtima said.