A grade 12 pupil was allegedly assaulted by two police officers at school after he apparently refused to accept punishment from his class teacher.
The injured pupil's mother, Salmina Langa, 45, from Mapela outside Mokopane in Limpopo, said she opened an assault case against the two officers on Tuesday following the incident, which she said took place on Monday.
Langa said her 20-year-old son, a matric pupil at Maleya Secondary School in GaSekuruwe village, was taken to Mokopane Hospital after he sustained injuries to his buttocks and arm.
"He was struggling to walk. I could see that he was in a lot of pain. Is it possible for police to beat up a school kid like this? I'm very hurt," she said.
Langa claimed police officers were at the school after four other pupils were accused of stealing laptops, but she said her son was not part of that group.
Her son was summoned to the staff room by the Grade 12 class teacher, who allegedly informed the officers that he was refusing to cooperate and take punishment for contravening a school rule.
Langa said her son was then told to lie on a table while the police officers took turns beating him with an object in front of school staff.
She said her son later called her to inform her that he was on his way to hospital.
After being treated he was apparently released from hospital at about 8pm on the same day.
Langa said she was summoned a few months ago by the principal, who threatened to suspend her son concerning his "bad attitude and disrespect for teachers".
"But I was later told that my son's issues were resolved and that he would not be suspended. The school never contacted me about his behaviour after that," she said.
Mahwelereng police spokesman Constable Sello Leso confirmed they were investigating two officers in connection with a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm .
Leso said no arrests had been made because the identity of the suspects was still unknown.
He said the victim supplied them with the registration number of the police vehicle at the school on the day of the alleged assault.
"It will be up to the investigators to determine who was driving that vehicle and then we will know who the culprits are," said Leso.
He said investigators would also determine the reasons behind the police officers being at the school on that day.
Depending on the outcome of the investigations, the case could be referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
Provincial education department spokesman Naledzani Rasila said police have the right to perform their duties, but teachers were responsible for monitoring pupils.
Rasila said the pupil's mother had taken the right course when she opened a criminal case. "We'll allow the legal processes to unfold."
The department would investigate whether the school had a history of corporal punishment issues should someone lodge a formal complaint.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
Cops accused of assaulting pupil
A grade 12 pupil was allegedly assaulted by two police officers at school after he apparently refused to accept punishment from his class teacher.
The injured pupil's mother, Salmina Langa, 45, from Mapela outside Mokopane in Limpopo, said she opened an assault case against the two officers on Tuesday following the incident, which she said took place on Monday.
Langa said her 20-year-old son, a matric pupil at Maleya Secondary School in GaSekuruwe village, was taken to Mokopane Hospital after he sustained injuries to his buttocks and arm.
"He was struggling to walk. I could see that he was in a lot of pain. Is it possible for police to beat up a school kid like this? I'm very hurt," she said.
Langa claimed police officers were at the school after four other pupils were accused of stealing laptops, but she said her son was not part of that group.
Her son was summoned to the staff room by the Grade 12 class teacher, who allegedly informed the officers that he was refusing to cooperate and take punishment for contravening a school rule.
Langa said her son was then told to lie on a table while the police officers took turns beating him with an object in front of school staff.
She said her son later called her to inform her that he was on his way to hospital.
After being treated he was apparently released from hospital at about 8pm on the same day.
Langa said she was summoned a few months ago by the principal, who threatened to suspend her son concerning his "bad attitude and disrespect for teachers".
"But I was later told that my son's issues were resolved and that he would not be suspended. The school never contacted me about his behaviour after that," she said.
Mahwelereng police spokesman Constable Sello Leso confirmed they were investigating two officers in connection with a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm .
Leso said no arrests had been made because the identity of the suspects was still unknown.
He said the victim supplied them with the registration number of the police vehicle at the school on the day of the alleged assault.
"It will be up to the investigators to determine who was driving that vehicle and then we will know who the culprits are," said Leso.
He said investigators would also determine the reasons behind the police officers being at the school on that day.
Depending on the outcome of the investigations, the case could be referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
Provincial education department spokesman Naledzani Rasila said police have the right to perform their duties, but teachers were responsible for monitoring pupils.
Rasila said the pupil's mother had taken the right course when she opened a criminal case. "We'll allow the legal processes to unfold."
The department would investigate whether the school had a history of corporal punishment issues should someone lodge a formal complaint.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos