A video that has gone viral on social media showing a principal’s husband manhandling a 13-year-old from Crowthorne Christian Academy School, has angered the mother.
The mother of the teenage learner said she was disappointed that the principal did not protect her daughter.
In the video, the man is seen grabbing the young learner and throwing her outside of the classroom because she came to school with her hair in dreadlocks.
This was believed to be against the school’s code of conduct which was only amended earlier this year according to the mother [who was also thrown out of the classroom before the video was taken]. The incident happened on August 14.
The husband appeared at Midrand Magistrate’s Court on August 17 facing two counts of common assault; he was granted R2 000 bail.
“First of all, I feel like the principal of the school did not protect my child. She allowed her husband to manhandle her the way he did,” said the mother.
The learner’s sister said, “What happened to my younger sister is sad. I feel sorry for her although she looks strong throughout the whole situation; I think her true wellbeing will be seen after counselling.”
On August 21, Joburg Speaker of Council, and Councillor Colleen Makhubele visited the school where she condemned in the strongest ways the racist attack of a learner.
The visit to the Midrand family comes just before the launch of the speaker’s Civic Education Programme, a campaign meant to renew the city by creating world-class citizens. “The campaign will tackle issues of South Africa’s young democracy, littering, illegal mining, by-law enforcement and economic issues,” said Makhubele.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona and MEC, Matome Chiloane, issued a notice of closure as they are operating illegally. Mabona said the school was not fully registered with them.
“We have made multiple attempts to reach out to the school management, through various forms of communication and physical visits with law enforcement agencies, but the school refuses to open its gates and respond to our communication. Therefore, we are prepared to place all affected learners to alternative schools as we believe that Crowthorne Christian Academy is not an institution that effectively educates children,” read the statement.
Parents who had children at the school were urged to contact the department for assistance.
Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, together with some parents, protested outside the school’s gates after the incident.
Related article:
Crowthorne Christian School is currently closed following assault allegations captured on video
