Bullied girl lives in fear
Attacker appears in court again
The family of a pupil who was beaten up by her schoolmates and had her underwear torn fears that she may be suicidal.
She is now refusing to go to school since the incident happened two weeks ago.
Her family yesterday said they had asked the organisers of Ungazibulali Campaign, which helps people suffering from depression, are suicidal and battling mental disorders, for intervention as their daughter had been left traumatised by the incident.
Footage of the assault was shared widely on social media last week, where a pupil from Amathole High School in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, is seen assaulting another and pulling her underwear and it is torn. The pupil is seen kicking and punching her in the face, with the victim pleading with the attacker to leave her alone.
The provincial department of education said two pupils had assaulted the girl though only one of them can be seen in the footage. Both pupils have been suspended for the alleged bullying incident.
Nkuleko Khanyi from Ungazibulali Campaign said: “What happened to the child is very traumatic and I am trying to get to the bottom of this as the two families are now in dispute. They are pointing fingers at each other and apparently the victim has been receiving threatening messages. She now no longer wants to go to school.
“The family said she cries day and night and does not even want to go out,” he said.
Police spokesperson Col Thembeka Mbele said a case of assault and defamation of character had been registered.
“A 16-year-old suspect briefly appeared before the Mahlabathini magistrate’s court on Friday but she was released into the care of her parents. She will appear again on Monday [today],” Mbele said, adding that a case had not been opened against the second pupil.
The victim s 52-year-old mother, who cannot be named to protect her child, said she was worried about her daughter’s safety.
“My child is no longer the same. She is very traumatised and has been struggling to sleep at night. Things became worse when she started getting messages and the video [was also sent to her by people] making fun of her. I am worried about my child, she did not deserve to go through that,” she said.
Khanyi said the victim has since switched off her cellphone and they were making plans for her to see a psychologist. The department said in a statement that professional therapy was being offered to the victim and other affected pupils.
The department said it would contact social media platforms administrators with the aim of removing and blocking the circulation of the video. Police and the department last week confirmed that one of the perpetrators attempted suicide by drinking poison. She was hospitalised and treated.
Khanyi said the family’s situation was worrying as they live in a one-room mud house.
“The father passed away 10 years ago and the victim’s mother has been struggling to make ends meet. They don’t even have electricity and are no longer optimistic about the future. My friends and I have decided to build them a house but for now, we will donate food parcels and sanitary pads,” he said.
‘‘ The family said she cries day and night and does not even want to go out