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The DA condemns the brutal assault  of a seven-year-old learner at Ottawa Primary School in Phoenix after being accused of stealing R10.

Yesterday, I consulted with the child’s family who revealed a very different story to what has been reported. According to her grandmother, the learner was asked to bring R10 to school for unknown reasons. When the child and family could not afford to do so, she was viciously assaulted with a pipe by a teacher.

While the matter is now subject to a police investigation, the DA expects KZN Education MEC, Mbali Frazer, to launch an internal probe.

It has become the norm within KZN’s schools that when such horrific incidents take place, there are no suspensions that follow. This leaves alleged victims in the same space as the person accused of assaulting them. This is unacceptable.

Corporal punishment has been outlawed. Section 10 of the South African Schools Act is explicit in this regard and every teacher should know this.

To date, KZN’s Department of Education (DoE) has not taken any action against any educator recently found guilty of such action. This while we know that caning is still taking place in some of the province’s schools.

The DA expects MEC Frazer to ensure that the teacher allegedly involved in this latest barbaric incident is suspended, pending the outcome of both the SAPS and internal investigation.  In the event that the teacher involved is found guilty, the book must be thrown at her for bullying and beating a young girl.

The DA will also write to the South African Council of Educators (SACE) – the statutory council registering educators – to request that it launches its own investigation into the matter.

Quality education cannot be delivered in an environment that is dangerous.  We send our children to school and expect them to be cared for by those to whom we entrust them.  When this trust is broken, it should never be taken lightly.

Safe schools are those with good leadership, proper infrastructure and parental involvement. This is the way forward in order to produce the best outcomes for our young people.

Issued by Dr Imran Keeka, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Education