School gang 'feel they rule everything, everybody'

An incident of bullying is being probed at the Vaalrivier High School after an altercation between two boys. Picture: Supplied

An incident of bullying is being probed at the Vaalrivier High School after an altercation between two boys. Picture: Supplied

Published Mar 24, 2017

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Kimberley – An incident of bullying at a school in Barkly West has resulted in criminal charges, while the mother of the victim is demanding that drastic action be taken by the school against a pupil who apparently has a history of disciplinary problems, including drug use.

While the Northern Cape Department of Education said on Thursday that decisive action had been taken following the incident at Vaalrivier High School, as per the school’s code of conduct, the mother of the Grade 10 victim is not convinced that her son’s assailant has been adequately reprimanded.

“My son’s attacker is part of a gang at the school who feel that they rule everything and everybody,” the mother said on Wednesday.

“There have been lots of threats in the past. On previous occasions he swore at my son and even threw stones at him.”

“When this happened, I approached the school but nothing was done about it.”

The mother added that tensions eventually spilled over on Friday when, while her son was socialising with friends, his assailant approached them and demanded that he leave his girlfriend alone.

“He went to my son on the pavilion and said he was going to ‘bliksem’ him because of the girl,” she said.

“When my son questioned his attacker’s motives, the older boy got in his face and told my son to hit him."

“My child is not a violent person and is definitely not a fighter. He was still sitting down when he tried to pull away but as he did so, he was slapped and punched. As he fell on to one of the steps, he was kicked until he eventually fell off the pavilion.”

The fight was broken up when the victim’s brother intervened, at which point the 16-year-old had already sustained multiple injuries.

“He was covered in scrapes and bruises and started vomiting when he arrived at the office. We were concerned that he may have suffered a concussion."

“Fortunately, there were no broken bones or stitches required, but I still want to know what is going to be done about this pupil, who is clearly a problem."

“The other boy has been suspended on a previous occasion and again for five days following this incident. However, they are still allowing him to write tests during this period. What kind of person kicks someone while they are lying on the ground?”

The spokesperson for the provincial Department of Education, Geoffrey van der Merwe, confirmed that the incident had been reported to the circuit manager, adding that the two boys had a disagreement about a girl at school.

“After the physical encounter, both boys were brought to the office while one was taken to the hospital to determine the nature of his injuries,” Van der Merwe said.

“It was not that serious according to the principal. The assailant immediately confessed and admitted his actions. He also said that he would take responsibility and accept the consequences."

“Since he admitted guilt, he was suspended from school for five days, but is still allowed to come to school to complete school-based assessments and to get his homework.”

He added that the assailant had also failed a drug test.

Van der Merwe said that a meeting between the parents of both boys has been scheduled for next week .

“The mother of the victim did indicate that she will open a case. That will take its course outside of the school’s management of the process."

“The assailant was also tested for substance use after the incident and tested positive. According to policy, he will be tested again in 40 days time."

“Bullying at Vaalrivier High School is not a big problem as there has been no incident reported this year.”

Police spokesperson, Captain Sergio Kock, confirmed that police were investigating the matter.

“The Galeshewe Family Violence and Child Protection unit are investigating a case of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm,” Kock said.

“It is alleged that a 16-year-old pupil from a local school in Barkly West was recently assaulted by another pupil. The motive for the incident is still under investigation.”

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