Principal allegedly canes pupil over pen
AN investigation has been launched into the alleged use of corporal punishment at a Zululand school last week.
According to the DA's Imraan Keeka, Mzilikazi Secondary school principal is reported to have caned a female pupil on the hand after she walked into a classroom to borrow a pen.
Despite the constitutional court effectively banning all use of corporal punishment against children in 2019, abuse continues at South African schools.
Keeka said the matric pupil was left with blisters on her hand from the incident.
'Shockingly, we were also reliably informed that this is not an isolated incident but habitual practice by this principal.'
He said the pupil's family, who notified the DA of this crime, is reluctant to press charges out of fear of victimisation.
'No one should leave any type of assault unreported because it allows for perpetrators to continue with their lawless misconduct in an unchecked manner,' he said.
'Apart from calling on the MEC to conduct a comprehensive probe, the DA has also asked him to suspend the principal until such time as all the facts can be gathered.'
The KZN Department of Education spokesperson Kwazi Mshengu confirmed that the incident is being investigated.