A Father of four from Belhar is demanding action from school authorities after his 11-year-old daughter was beaten up, allegedly by a bully at school.
Theo Croukamp says he nearly lost his mind when his daughter came home with a split lip and bruises to her body after a 12-year-old boy allegedly hit her with a belt and his fists.
The dad, 41, says he’s fed-up with Symphony Primary School’s principal as “nothing” has been done about the incident.
VICTIM: Schoolgirl, 11, had injuries after being bullied. Photo: Supplied
“She’s in Grade 4 and started complaining about this Grade 5 boy messing with her,” Theo says.
“My daughter came home just before the end of the second term with a split lip. When I took her to the doctor she had blue marks on her arm and chest.”
He says the palie has been dodging him while his daughter’s school work has gone down.
“The principal avoids me. Last I spoke to him he told me it’s ‘part of life’ and I needed to be patient.
INJURIES: Girl was hurt
“He does not return my calls. So it’s okay for my child to be mishandled at school?
“This boy has a skollie nature yet nothing is being done. I want this child out of the school, or the principal, who is clearly condoning his behaviour,” Theo says.
The Daily Voice contacted the school this week, but calls went unanswered.
The Western Cape Education Department’s Bronagh Hammond says the boy has a history.
“The school has met with the parents of the female learner. They’re aware of the allegations and on several occasions tried to engage with the parent of the male learner,” says Hammond.
“There’s been disciplinary action taken against this learner in the past. The principal was not aware of the latest incident, which was dealt with by the deputy principal.
“The parents of both learners were requested to come to school to discuss the latest incident and the ongoing behavioural issues with the male learner.
“The District office will be engaging with the school further to discuss what disciplinary steps can be taken to address these allegations,” she added.