Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

Tension continues to rise at a Limpopo high school after the principal allegedly assaulted a teacher in full view of some pupils.

Shocked pupils and teachers at Bolotswi High School, in Bolobedu near Modjadjiskloof, said they watched their principal, Sophy Matheere, and a teacher, Winny Moloto, fighting at the end of the day's classes.

The two had reportedly been hostile to each other for more than a year.

Moloto said: "The muscled principal pulled me out of the taxi when I was just about to leave the school after lessons.

"While I was still perplexed, she gave me two of her best punches on the face and I fell down. She told me that I was growing too big for my boots.

"She swore at me and told me that I should learn not to argue with my seniors."

Matheere could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.

The incident was reported to the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu).

The two teachers are believed to have decided to litigate against each other.

The chairman of Sadtu's Bolobedu branch, Malombo Machethe, said: "We have removed Moloto from the school for her own safety."

A spokesman for the provincial education department said the matter would be investigated.