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STAFF REPORTER
THE Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that a Grade 10 boy who allegedly assaulted a female classmate has been suspended.
A video of the assault at Nic Diederichs High School in Krugersdorp has gone viral on social media.
The Gauteng Department of Education condemned the assault on the girl learner at the Krugersdorp school.
‘‘The perpetrator was suspended on Wednesday, 1 February 2023, through correspondence that was served to his parents,’’ GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said.
Mabona said a disciplinary hearing by the school’s Disciplinary Committee (DC) is scheduled for 12 February 2023.
“Our officials visited the school today to verify circumstances surrounding the incident. Our psycho-social support team has also been deployed to provide counselling and trauma support for the victim,’’ Mabona added.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said that he strongly condemns any acts of misconduct by learners that dehumanises, demeans and potentially endangers other learners, and ultimately undermines the dignity of learning institutions.
He said learner ill-discipline will not be tolerated in Gauteng schools.
The GDE appealed to parents in assisting to enforce discipline upon their children in and outside the school environment.
“We condemn, in the strongest sense, this despicable behaviour. No one can be allowed to assault anyone in our schools, and we especially condemn any form of gender-based violence in our schools. We are pleased that the perpetrator is suspended and will not be allowed back to our school before necessary rehabilitation,” said Chiloane.
Chiloane said the GDE will continue to monitor the situation and apply further interventions.
The school is not new to controversy.
In 2008, an 18-year-old Morne Harmse, known as the ‘Samurai Sword Killer’, attacked four people with a ‘‘samurai’’ sword.
Harmse took out a 60 centimeter katana sword and slit the throat of 16-year-old Jacques Pretorius who died on the scene.
He then, claiming that he was following Satan’s orders, slashed three other people, who were injured and survived the attack.
He was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to all charges in April 2009, but he was released on parole in March 2020 with strict conditions.
INSIDE EDUCATION
