A schoolgirl at Alexandra High School was apparently assaulted by a fellow male pupil who has allegedly been bullying her with impunity since she started at the school last year.
Refiloe Ndlovu (14), a Grade 9 pupil, was allegedly viciously punched by her classmate. One of the previous assaults was reported to the class teacher last year, but the teacher is said to have failed to escalate the matter to the principal.
Ndlovu, whose swollen right eye had completely closed soon after the beating, had not been to school and was at home nursing her injuries. She had to cut her hair to enable the bruises on her head to heal.
Ndlovu said she was beaten on 27 August during lunch break.
“I was standing just outside the door of the classroom and talking in IsiXhosa to my friends about our lunch, she said. “Then came [name withheld] and admonished me for speaking IsiXhosa.”
She said the boy allegedly went on and on about the fact it was not a Xhosa school and that she was not allowed to speak that language. When I tried to reason with him he grabbed a nearby chair and threw it at me, [hitting] my body and [landing on my] feet,” she said holding back tears.
“As if that was not enough, he punched me several times in the face with his fists. I tried to cover my face but he kept on raining blows down on my face and eyes.”
She said at one point she fell to the ground and he allegedly kicked her all over her body until she fell unconscious.
The mother of the boy, who is a leading and influential figure in the school governing body, is said to have admitted that her son was out of control. “You can do whatever you want to do with him,” she is alleged to have told Ndlovu’s mother, Justinah.
A case was opened with Alex police against the boy, who has since been suspended from school pending a disciplinary hearing. The police could not arrest him as the gates to his home were secured with several locks and chains.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane said the department was aware of the matter which was brought to its attention on the 28 August. “The department views all allegations of bullying in a very serious light and believes that bullying has no place in our schools,” siad Sekhonyane. “We have suspended the boy pending the disciplinary process.
“The department has provided counselling to the affected pupil. We are also aware that the parent of the victim has opened a case with the police. The department will co-operate with the police investigations.”
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