GDE offers the Masondo family counselling
The family previously told Bedfordview Edenvale News that the learner approached Masondo’s workstation during a class activity and turned off his machine.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) says it has offered to support Bayanda Masondo and his family through counselling.
The 19-year-old Masondo was assaulted at Elandspark LSEN School in Bedfordview last August.
The family wants answers and justice after another learner at the school assaulted Masondo and severely injured him during school hours.
The family previously told Bedfordview Edenvale News that the learner approached Masondo’s workstation during a class activity and turned off his machine. When Masondo confronted him, the altercation escalated.
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“He picked up a steel hammer. That’s when I slapped him in an attempt to defend myself.
“When a teacher intervened, he held me back in an attempt to separate us, which resulted in me getting hit in the mouth with the hammer,” explained Masondo.
The hammer was crafted as part of the school’s curriculum.
Masondo lost three upper teeth, while others needed extracting at the dental clinic at Bertha Gxowa Hospital.
The family had to pay for additional medical bills, including his permanent false teeth.
After going to the emergency room, the family opened a case with the Bedfordview Police Station the same day.
However, the family said they never received updates about the investigation’s progress until May 6, when they received a text message stating the case was closed.
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The family said the justice system has failed them.
The GDE’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said, “Although this matter is with the SAPS, the necessary disciplinary processes were instituted against the perpetrator as per the school’s disciplinary policy, whereby the appropriate sanction was implemented.
“We are offering support to the victim and his family through counselling.
“While the matter might conclude as soon as the disciplinary hearing finalises, remedial action may take longer depending on the programmes learners might be subjected to, such as diversion programmes for behaviour modification and counselling.”
Mabona said the school held an intervention programme focused on bullying and anger management as a preventative measure to curb the possibility of recurrence.
“The department has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and any forms of misconduct. Anyone found transgressing this policy is dealt with in line with the South African Schools Act’s (SASA) code of conduct, which governs all schools.
“Schools are urged to enforce their codes of conduct to deal with bullying and other disciplinary matters.
“We implore parents to assist the department in instilling learner discipline in and outside the school environment,” added Mabona.
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According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the 17-year-old suspect was arrested last September. He appeared in the C court on September 11.
“The offender is 17 years old. A preliminary enquiry was conducted in terms of the Child Justice Act. The social worker recommended diversion in her assessment report, and the court diverted the matter on September 13 in terms of section 49(1) (a) of the Child Justice Act.”
