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Deputy head accused of punching boy

An Atteridgeville, Tshwane, mother has laid charges of assault against a deputy principal who allegedly punched her epileptic 10-year-old son in the face.

Debrah Ndongwana, 43, also accused the principal of Zodwa Special School of failing to act against his deputy.

Ndongwana told Sowetan that at the beginning of May her son was assaulted by the deputy after he accused him of being noisy in class.

"On May 9, I was called to the school and told that my son was injured after he hit a desk, fell on his mouth and subsequently lost his tooth.

"The next day, without asking him, my son told me that the deputy principal was lying that he fell. He said he was making noise in class and the deputy principal punched him and he hit a desk, leaving him without a tooth," she said.

Ndongwana said when she approached the deputy he confessed in front of the principal.

She said she has been waiting for the incident report from the principal, but it was not forthcoming.

Ndongwana said her son was treated at a nearby clinic .

Another teacher from the school, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed the incident. "We were told on May 10 in a school meeting that the deputy principal assaulted a pupil.

"We expected the perpetrator to be suspended, but that didn't happen. We are dealing with special children here and teachers need to be calm as always."

Principal Helen Molekwa said she was not protecting her deputy . "The deputy principal slapped the child and the matter was referred to the district.

"The charge has been opened and departmental instigations are underway."

Police spokeswoman Captain Augustinah Selepe said a common assault case was opened.

The Gauteng department of education did not respond to queries.

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