Police and school authorities are investigating after a 14-year-old schoolgirl was beaten up in class by a male pupil.
The meisie from Livingstone High School in Claremont says she was defending her friend, who was allegedly “touched inappropriately” by the boy.
She says the boy pushed her friend and when she intervened, he first punched her in the face before viciously beating her up.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, was filmed by a pupil, and the girl’s mother laid a charge after she saw the 31-second video.
The video shows the boy grabbing the girl and throwing her to the floor, while another boy tries to intervene.
She tries to fight back and her assailant kicks her in the face while she is down.
He drags her across the floor and someone else helps her up.
The angry girl lunges at the boy again and he hits her in the face before they are separated.
The girl, whose nose is bleeding, is led from the classroom by a pupil.
“And she is bleeding, guys. This boy who hits a girl is so rude, man,” says a boy, who can be heard laughing while filming.
The girl says they immediately reported the matter to the principal’s office, where they were allegedly told “to sort it out among yourselves”.
“My friend was just standing close to his desk and he was vatterag and touched her on the chest and then he pushed her,” she explains.
“She told him no, but he kept dik. I defended my friend and got beaten up by a boy,” the teen tells the Daily Voice.
“He punched me and my nose bled and when he threw me down and kicked me, my neck was also hurt. It is still tender.
“He had no right to do what he did to her or to me. I would defend myself and my friend again,” the meisie says bravely.
The teen’s mother says she learnt about the fight after her eldest daughter, who is in matric at the same school, WhatsApped her the video at work.
“I did not watch the video and just rushed to get home to her. The school is giving me no answers because they say they do not know anything about the incident,” says the mom.
“They told my child to sort this out herself. My child is not a punching bag and I will not leave it as is.”
She has since reported the matter to Claremont SAPS.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut, confirmed: “A parent reported the assault of a child at Claremont Police Station. However, the statement of the victim is yet to be obtained for the case to be registered.”
The Western Cape Education Department said the matter will be investigated.
Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said: “The District has been informed and will make the necessary enqui-
ries when schools reopen on Monday.”