Disciplinary hearing for school bullies called off
Too many witnesses and victims have come forward to testify against the three prefects accused of bullying
The three prefects from Voortrekker High School in Pietermaritzburg who are believed to be the masterminds behind the initiation rituals and the abuse meted out to a Ladysmith boy will not have an internal disciplinary hearing.
It is believed this is because there are too many witnesses and victims who have come forward, and for the school to hear from each of them would mean that the hearing would run past the end of the school year. Rather, the three boys have been stripped of their prefect status, they may no longer take part in any school sport or social activity, and they have been removed from the school’s boarding establishment.
The Ladysmith boy who was attending the school had third degree burns on his buttocks from where the prefects had branded him with a steam iron. The wound went untreated for weeks. The mother of this pupil brought the sadistic nature of the initiation rituals to light.
The mother is still pursuing criminal charges against the prefects for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The Department of Education and the police are still investigating.
Related stories:
Silence broken about initiation abuse
Ladysmith boy tortured at Maritzburg school
