The Western Cape community safety department is investigating an assault, allegedly by two security guards, on a pupil at the Chris Hani High School in Cape Town, MEC Dan Plato said on Tuesday.
“Misconduct by school safety volunteers will not be tolerated and the services of the two volunteers involved in the incident have been withdrawn with immediate effect,” Plato said in a statement.
The matric pupil, Malibongwe Malani, suffered spinal injuries in the attack at the school in Khayelitsha. Pupils protested against the assault at the school on Monday.
Plato said the police were investigating criminal charges against those involved.
The school safety volunteer programme was also under review to ensure its alignment with the “strategic objective of increasing safety in the Western Cape”.
The department was redefining the role of volunteers who had operated as a “shadow security force” in the past.
The focus was now being shifted towards volunteers operating as safety co-ordinators, having the responsibility to oversee and report on the state of safety at every school, Plato said. – Sapa