The Western Cape Education Department, together with cops and social workers, have been roped in to investigate claims
of bullying at Northpine Primary School.
The mother of a 12-year-old boy, who is in Grade 7, has opened a case of assault after footage filmed inside the child’s classroom shows a fellow pupil punching him in the face.
The mother claims the bullying has been going on for months and the latest incident has left her son with bruises.
VICTIM: Punched in face
She says her son is being victimised because her husband, who is a police officer, was on the School Governing Body but was suspended after he started questioning their financial issues.
“This boy just gets up and walks over to my son and punches him in the face for no reason,” says the mother of the footage.
“We feel that my son is being victimised after my husband was suspended when he began asking questions about the school’s finances.”
The mother says after a meeting with the principal, the same boy pushed her son so hard that she had to take him to the doctor for neck pain.
“Then there was an incident where this boy also threatened to stab my child and a scissor was taken away by one of his classmates.”
On Friday, the alleged bully’s father, who is the vice-chairperson
of the SGB, did not want to comment: “I will wait until the court matter is concluded until we comment.”
WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, says officials met with the parents and principal.
Bronagh Hammond.
“We have resolved to bring in our psychological and social support component to support the learners - both the alleged perpetrator and victim.”
She said the school is co-operating with the police on the matter.