Parents of caned boys lay charge with SAPS

Durban - A group of Northwood Boys’ High School parents, whose children were allegedly caned by a teacher earlier this year, have laid a criminal charge against the teacher, saying the education department’s internal disciplinary process was taking too long.

One of the parents, whose son escaped the caning only because he refused to accept “illegal” corporal punishment, said a case had been opened at the Durban North police station last week.

Although he was not the official complainant, he was listed in the docket as one of the parents supporting the complainants in the matter.

The incident at the Durban North school occurred on February 14, when a teacher allegedly called five Grade 8 pupils to the front of the class, as they had left their art books at home.

They were then given the choice of accepting a caning – with what they described as a solid, plastic cane – or detention.

Although some of the group took the caning, in front of the class, the son of the man who is supporting the complaint, told the teacher corporal punishment was not allowed. The teacher’s alleged response was that he knew the act was outlawed but that “this is the decision I make”.

After refusing to be caned, his son was given detention and told to write lines for the rest of the lesson.

“My son told him that he was going to report the matter to me, but the teacher told him: ‘I am not scared of your papie… You make sure you tell your papie that I made you write these lines as well.’ “

The father saw the headmaster the following day, and was told there was CCTV footage of the incident.

The department of education was called in to handle the matter, as the teacher is employed by the state.

Northwood principal Paul McAvoy said the school could not comment as disciplinary proceedings were still taking place and did not involve the school.

However, the parents say they have waited long enough and have decided to lay a charge of common assault.

The police confirmed a case had been opened and was under investigation.

Education department spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said it was not uncommon for parents to lay charges with the police, despite the department’s internal processes.

“It is what we call double jeopardy, and is a common occurrence. Some parents choose a single process, while some also turn to the courts… And if the courts hand down rulings, then we have to abide by them.”

Mahlambi said labour relations matters were difficult for the department to wrap up, as there were “very few” officials dealing with such cases.

“If we could, we would employ hundreds of people to deal with labour relations (cases), because they are coming in thick and fast.”

He added that teachers who broke the law or contravened policy, inconvenienced the department, schools and pupils, as they were often suspended or dismissed. He questioned why teachers, who were educated, continued to mete out corporal punishment when they knew it was illegal and had seen the consequences.

Themba Ndhlovu, who is a spokesman for the SA Council for Educators, which probes corporal punishment cases, said the council advised parents to lay criminal charges if their children had been seriously injured.

bronwyn.fourie@inl.co.za

The Mercury