“The offender has been suspended for five days. There is more to the story, but this behaviour is still unacceptable. I cannot discuss the details in a public forum.”
Cape Town – A Zwelethemba Secondary School (Worcester) pupil has been suspended after he was recorded slapping a female classmate.
A video clip that circulated on social media yesterday shows the pupil slapping his classmate in the face, after which other pupils react with shock and some laughter.
The pupil is then seen walking back to his desk. It is not clear if a teacher was present.
Social media users tagged Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, requesting that she investigate the circumstances leading to the incident.
Schäfer tweeted: “The offender has been suspended for five days. There is more to the story, but this behaviour is still unacceptable. I cannot discuss the details in a public forum.”
Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the incident occurred after a male pupil accidentally stepped on a female pupil’s foot.
“When entering the class he apologised and class resumed as
per normal. After class the female pupil allegedly assaulted the male pupil.
“The male pupil retaliated in class. The pupil has been suspended and a final warning was issued to both pupils for their behaviour.”
Hammond said the school had interacted with the parents of the pupils and supported the pupils as they prepared for end-of-term tests.
“Behaviour such as this is not acceptable in our schools. Pupils need to respect each other and deal with conflict through other means, such as peaceful engagement,” she said.
Siyabulela Monakali, from Ilitha Labantu, said violence, especially at schools, was a microcosm of what was taking place in society.
“As an organisation that fights against violence against women and children, for over 31 years, we stand against all forms of violence at home and in society.
The whole class cheered him on as he nearly decapitated her. This happened in Zwelethemba Secondary School in Worcester, Western Cape.pic.twitter.com/1yNlVDtVkH
— Active Citizen Agenda🤾🏽♂️🇿🇦 (@ZwangaMukhuthu)February 26, 2020
“The behaviour exhibited by the school pupils is something they see at home or in their community. As a society we need to teach our kids better, in terms of how they can resolve issues.
“School violence has been on the increase, this is something we need to get a grip of,” Monakali said.
Cape Times
