Dad goes to MEC over bullying

THE parents of a top performing Durban High School pupil who has allegedly been beaten up four times over the past three years are saying, “enough is enough”. Now, the frustrated parents have approached KZN’s Education MEC for help.

The 17-year-old Grade 11 pupil claims he was bullied and beaten by a prefect two weeks ago after an altercation.

His father told the Sunday Tribune his son was on a full scholarship because he excelled in sport and academically; hence he did not want to remove him from the school when the first three incidents occurred.

“We are not financially stable and he is on a scholarship.

“He desperately wanted to leave the school but because of finances, we forced him to stay. The school did not take the matters seriously and this upset us,” he said.

He reached breaking point when his son was allegedly beaten up for the fourth time. He said the previous incidents happened in 2012 and 2013.

“He called me and he was frantic. I had to rush over to him and take him to a hospital. He had minor injuries and internal bleeding,” he said.

In desperation, the father wrote to the MEC for Education, Peggy Nkonyeni.

Spokesman for the MEC, Isaac Luthuli, confirmed he received correspondence from the parent and that the matter was being dealt with. He said that this particular case was being addressed and that the school was taking the necessary actions against the perpetrators.

The principal of DHS, Leon Erasmus, said an altercation occurred between two boys, one in Grade 12 and the other in Grade 11.

“The Grade 12 boy struck the other boy and for that we have punished him.

“We have a zero tolerance approach when it comes to these types of issues.

“The Grade 11 boy was also offered counselling sessions”, said Erasmus.

He said he had met with the department and the parents and the “issue was resolved”.