Cape Town - A music teacher at Bloekombos Secondary School in Kraaifontein faces criminal charges for allegedly beating a 16-year-old pupil with a pipe, leaving his buttocks swollen and bruised.
The pupil was among a group of 13 learners who were allegedly assaulted earlier this year by the teacher who is also on the School Governing Body (SGB).
He is accused of hitting each pupil a number of times after they celebrated a choir competition win by drinking liquor.
According to the 16-year-old boy’s guardian, the teacher made his first appearance last month at the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court where the matter was postponed to November 3 for further investigation.
It has also since emerged that another teacher was also part of the alleged corporal punishment incident.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said Kraaifontein police registered a case of common assault against two men aged 33 and 43 for further investigation following an incident which occurred at a school in Kraaifontein.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the department launched an investigation after receiving a report about pupils who were assaulted for drinking alcohol to celebrate winning a competition.
“The hearing was conducted in August. The educator was charged with misconduct based on the evidence put forward by the complainant. No learners came forward to testify in the hearing. A sanction was provided,” said Hammond.
The educator was charged with misconduct based on the evidence put forward by the complainant. No learners came forward to testify in the hearing. A sanction was provided,” said Hammond.
While the WCED said no pupil came forward to testify, the pupil's aunt explained she was never approached by the department to seek permission to interview her nephew.
She was also unaware of any action that the department has taken to date, saying that she was still waiting for an update.
The Cape Times was sent the picture of the teenagers bruised buttocks.
“I became aware of the incident after my son showed me the pictures. I was shocked when my nephew told me he was whipped 17 lashes and the bruises were extensive which showed that he was really hit numerous times.
I had to take him to the doctor. I agree the children misbehaved but the punishment was too harsh. As far as I know I'm the only guardian or parent who lodged a complaint with the police. We will now allow the law to take its course.”
Last week the South African Council for Educators (Sace) presented their annual report to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education where it revealed the Western Cape as the leading province with 85 corporal punishment cases. A third of all misconduct cases involving corporal punishment and assault on pupils in the financial year ending March.
Cape Times