Cape Town - The parents of a mentally disabled boy are outraged after he was allegedly whipped with a rubber pipe by his teacher.
The seven-year-old, who also suffers from epilepsy, was left with at least 17 painful lashes on his body.
Now the education department has called on the department of labour relations to investigate the assault claims.
The shocking news comes as the country kicks off Child Protection Week.
A dark cloud now hangs over St Joseph’s school in Montana.
The school is classified as catering for chronically ill children and kids with special educational needs
Education department spokeswoman Bronagh Casey says the matter has been referred to the Directorate of Labour Relations.
“The department views cases of corporal punishment in a very serious light. Corporal punishment is illegal in terms of the South African Schools Act,” says Casey.
Lee-Hagen Dolf, seven, arrived at his Charlesville home last week with his lower body covered in black and blue bruises.
The family said that Lee-Hagen suffers from epilepsy and shows symptoms Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which makes him “difficult at times”.
His mom Charne Dolf, 25, who gave the Daily Voice permission to publish her son’s name, said the boy spoke of the beating when he came home.
“I did not take him seriously so I made him lunch and forgot about it,” she recalled.
“It was only when I undressing him that I saw the marks on his body. He was black and blue from the waist down, he had marks on his bum, legs and hands.”
She immediately rushed to the school and met with Lee-Hagen’s class teacher.
“From what I understand, Lee-Hagen was refusing to move from his desk or come out of the class so they called the vice principal and she hit him,” said Charne.
“The next Friday we went there with the police and she showed us this plastic water pipe she used to hit him with.
“She said that he was being problematic and she had reached her last straw.”
His grandmother, Lucinda Dolf, 41, said:
“Going to that school has helped him a lot... we’re proud of him. He knows his name, the colours, But this is really upsetting, they know his situation and should be more patient.”
Daily Voice