Ladysmith learner ends up in hospital after school beating

Teaching came to a halt last Friday (July 17) at uBulinga High School in the Moyeni area of Bergville, with protesting parents accusing the teachers of using corporal punishment. This comes after 20-year-old learner Nondumiso Magubane was admitted to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.

The Ladysmith Gazette conducted an interview with Mr Mcebo Magubane, who is Nondumiso’s older brother. He stated that, as a family, they want to see justice done after his sister ended up being hospitilised.

“Nondumiso is a matric student at uBulinga High. She also suffers from asthma, which causes great difficulties when trying to breathe with a face mask on. When the schools re-opened, she informed the principal about her problem. He said she would not be allowed at school without a face mask and needs to wear one just like all the other pupils at the school,” said Mcebo.

Her brother claims that Nondumiso has been going to the clinic on a regular basis, which has caused her to miss out on school. Having been away from school for most of June, Nondumiso returned to class on Monday, July 6. The clinic had given her medication she can use to help her breathe through the mask.

When she produced a letter to the principal stating the reason why she had been missing out on school, the principal welcomed her and told her to go to class. “Nondumiso told us that on Tuesday, July 17, a male teacher told her she should have notified him that she has a problem, not the principal, as he is her teacher. After that, he (allegedly) beat her with a steel pipe on her back.

“The principal came to our home to beg us not to disclose this matter to the media and promised us money if we kept quiet. However, no money could ever be enough to undo the damage that has been done to my sister, as she is not able to walk properly after this incident. Besides the principal, who tried to bribe us, no one from the Department of Education has come to our family to address us about the disciplinary steps they are going to take against the teacher,” said Mr Magubane.

Provincial police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed that an assault case was opened at Upper Tugela police station.

Also read: Teaching on hold at uBulinga after allegations of corporal punishment

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KZN Department of Education spokesperson Mr Muzi Mahlambi was not available for comment after the Ladysmith Gazette attempted numerous times to get hold of him.