The mother of a second child that was assaulted at West Ridge High School called the due disciplinary process “a mockery”.
In the Department of Education‘s (DoE’s) response to the Record’s enquiry about the assault of a 17-year-old-boy on school grounds in November, they mentioned two boys were assaulted on the day. His injuries, including kidney damage, landed him in ICU at Life Flora Clinic. In fact, the Record’s further investigation revealed another boy of the same age was assaulted the Monday before, resulting in his right hand being broken in two places. He was admitted to Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital two weeks ago to have it operated on, his mother confirmed.
Also Read: Kidney failure looming for assaulted boy
It was allegedly due to his attack that the Tuesday victim, featured in previous Record articles, was targeted.
Although the Tuesday victim’s mother did not attend the school’s disciplinary hearing as she was feeling ill, the Monday victim’s mother told the Record about the hearing, saying “facts have been twisted” regarding the amount of people involved and the use of weapons.
Also read: School assault confusion over disciplinary action
Continued sarcasm and laughter left her feeling forced to grab the two boys, who were summoned to the hearing to give their statements, and leave the hearing.
“I frankly do not wish to engage with the school further, lest they commit to conduct future meetings in a professional and organised manner and have their facts straight,” she told the Record.
Also Read: Boy, 17 discharged from hospital after school assault
According to her neither the controversial principal Sydney Mashige nor the school governing body or a representative of the DoE attended the hearing, rendering it meaningless in her eyes.
She felt the boys had to endure continuous mockery, sarcasm and laughter during the disciplinary hearing, which the trio attended for around two-and-a-half hours, both from the alleged assailants and their parents.
“At a point the school’s excuse for bouncers were called in to give their statement — they were asked to produce video footage of the incident but told the meeting chair it had gone missing.”
The mother is displeased that her son and his friend had to miss about four examinations given their injuries and hospitalisation while the alleged assailants were allowed to complete their examinations.
“Where’s the justice in all this? It’s a total mockery of discipline and consequence.”
The DoE has yet to confirm what the outcome of the hearing was, but promised the Record a response in due course.
Meanwhile, three of the alleged assailants who were arrested by the Honeydew Police’s Child Care Unit are set to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court this Thursday for the first time.
More to follow.
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