“I do not know how to wipe my son’s silent tears. My once happy sunshine child is now a shadow. His laughter does not fill the rooms in the house anymore. Lately he spends most of his time in his room.”
Ms Bonisiwe Makhoba’s words echoes those of thousands of mothers whose children are being bullied at school.
She spoke out after a video surfaced showing how her 14-year-old son is assaulted by fellow learners at school.
This incident happened on January 30. Eight days later she was told about the incident after a friend told her.
Her son never said a word to her.
“My soul was shattered when I realised that it was my son covering his face trying to protect himself from the bullies.”
The boy was taken to a doctor that reported that he found blunt trauma to the boy’s left eye.
The boy told his mother that he would be killed should he tell anyone about what happens to him at school.
“What makes me furious is that the school was aware of the video and they never bothered to phone me.”
Mr David Masango, principal of Duvha Combined School, said after a meeting with the parents of the boys on Thursday, February 14 the matter was closed.
Department of Education spokesperson, Mr Jasper Zwane said the department is disturbed and concerned about an incident of bullying which was recorded on a video that has gone viral.
“The department directed the school to institute disciplinary proceedings against the learners who are behind this in line with the school code of conduct,” Zwane said.
He said officials from the department will visit the school to render counselling to the victim and to those affected by the incident.
Sgt David Ratau, the school’s Adopt-A-Cop is very vocal about bullying.
“Bullying is not ok. Parents must start teaching their children morals at home. Home is where the foundation starts,” Sgt Ratau said.
He urges parents to open cases at the police station where the police officer will advise them as to what cases will be opened.
Sgt Ratau said a case of assault was opened against the perpetrators.
The two learners appeared in Witbank Magistrate Court on February 18. The case was postponed for further investigation. They have been remanded to the custody of their parents.
