Video footage showing a Soweto leaner being assaulted and thrown out of a school bus has gone viral.
According to the Gauteng department of education, the footage was captured on 8 September and flooded the internet on Monday.
In a statement, the department condemned the assault of a learner at a school for the disabled in Soweto by the “food handler”.
Department spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said: “The incident was not reported to the district office by the school and as a result, the department only learned about it when the footage emerged.
The parent of the learner was alerted about the incident on the 13 September and she reported the incident to the police the same day and the handler was arrested.
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Mabona said the handler was later released on bail.
“The handler is no longer at the school meanwhile the bus driver has been suspended as of today. The process of counselling all affected learners has commenced.”
Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said the department would commit to punishing the perpetrators
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“We are disappointed about this incident, extra care must be afforded to learners with disabilities. It is shocking to see the escalating incidents of assault taking place in our schools, as a department we will act vigorously in making sure the perpetrators face the might of the law.”
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