‘The pupil was supposed to have been enrolled in institutions of learning suitable for his age.’
The Pietermaritzburg Magistrate Court handed a ground breaking sentence to a pupil who assaulted his female teacher early in August this year.
According to a statement on the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) web page, the 24-year-old pupil, allegedly a repeat offender, will remain behind bars for 17 years.
“He is indeed unfit to be in the same environment with law abiding citizens,” the statement said.
According to Sadtu KZN provincial secretary, Nomarashiya Caluza, Sadtu equally noted with justifiable anger that the pupil was supposed to have been enrolled in institutions of learning suitable for his age if the recorded age of 24 years is correct.
The statement said that this pupil assaulted his unsuspecting female teacher by dragging her out of her car and attempted to drive the car over her in August 2019.
“This gruesome and inhumane incident happened in full view of some pupils in the village of iMpendle at Chibelihle combined school. Sadtu denounces violence against women and children and particularly violence in our schools that are expected to be safe places of teaching and learning for all,” Caluza said.
She added that the Magistrate has sent a strong and unambiguous message that violence in schools particularly against the most vulnerable and defenseless sections of our society should not be tolerated.
“Violence in schools destabilises provision of quality education, compromises sound educational outcomes and disrupts the future of many pupils in the process. Sadtu will continue to encourage the department of education to invest more resources in the safety and security of learners and teachers thus protecting even the schools as the property of the society.
“This is one case which was neither protracted nor consumed exorbitant State resources to finalise. The criminal justice system exceptionally demonstrated efficiency in dispensing justice without undue delay and SADTU commends all who carried this task with remarkable precision. It is through such sterling work that educators shall be able to reclaim their dignity and professional space and that learners shall be able to participate in the learning activities without fear of being harmed,” Caluza said.
