Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

Seven grade 10 schoolgirls have been suspended from school for allegedly intimidating a teacher.

This brings to eight the number of pupils suspended from Kgagatlou High School in Malebitsa, Limpopo, in the past few days.

On Monday a grade 10 pupil was suspended after he allegedly beat the teacher for slapping his classmate who happened to be his girlfriend.

In the latest incident the schoolgirls were accused of insulting the teacher and were consequently charged with intimidation.

The 17-year-old boy, whose name is known to Sowetan, was suspended pending a report from the Education Department's circuit office.

It has been alleged that as the teacher was about to cane the girl, the boy rushed up from behind and landed a "haymaker" punch on the back of the his head.

The girl was one of seven pupils being punished for not cleaning a classroom.

Education authorities this week promised to take action against the teacher for caning the children, and against the schoolboy for attacking his teacher.

Ndo Mangala, spokesman for the Limpopo Education Department, said corporal punishment was considered "serious misconduct".