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RUTHLESS: A girl was allegedly asked by the 15-year-old attacker to video her assaulting a fellow pupil at Krugersdorp High School.
CANDICE BAILEY
FIRST they called her fat and threw diet pills at her. Then they took to Facebook and BlackBerry’s BBM chat service with a series of threats, name-calling and nasty comments.
And when that was not enough, the four Krugersdorp High schoolgirls marched up to the 15-year-old pupil and hit her over the head with a glass juice bottle.
The attack during the first interval of the school day on January 30 was filmed. The video was recorded by another pupil, who had allegedly been asked by the attacker to film the confrontation.
In it, the attacker, wearing a pink headband, is seen walking across the school field, playing with the bottle.
The 70-second video shows the schoolgirl, who is shorter than the victim, lean in to hit the girl with the bottle.
The victim steps back and the attacker steps in again to take a second swipe, but the victim moves out of reach, with blood on her forehead.
The attacker, though suspended, was at school yesterday – less than 12 hours after the parents of both schoolgirls and the school’s lawyer had had a meeting at the school.
The victim’s mother, who cannot be named, has opened a case of assault against the 15-year-old attacker at the Krugersdorp police station.
And she is angry because the school did not tell her that her daughter’s attacker would be at school yesterday, and because the school did not handle the matter properly.
The mother said they were told there would be a disciplinary hearing, but neither she nor her daughter had been called to give their side of the story.
She said her daughter was friends with the attacker and her group of friends at one stage, but they had drifted apart – and that’s when the cyberbullying started.
When the school reopened this year, the attacks started again.
“There were threatening messages: ‘wait for Monday’; ‘we will beat you up’; ‘Monday is d-day’; ‘you going to die bitch’,” said the mother.
She told her daughter to approach a teacher to report the incidents.
“My daughter went to the deputy principal and told her that she was being bullied and threatened, and that she thought something would happen to her on Monday. The teacher said they would deal with it. But by first break my daughter was attacked.”
Yesterday, school principal Ivan Bailey told Sapa: “A principal cannot expel a learner. There is a disciplinary procedure that has to be followed, and this has been done.”
Bailey said the attack was the culmination of a series of “shocking conversations” on Facebook and BBM.
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Anonymous, wrote
Regardless of the incompetency of the Principal, Krugersdorp High is a fantastic school, although it has faced a difficult time these past few years I am sure that they will rise above this. Bullying is wrong yes, I agree without a shadow of a doubt, but there are far worse things going on that our attention should be focused on. I remain a proud former student of KHS although slightly disappointed in the evident lack of leadership from the executive
Anonymous, wrote
The scary part is that most of you are commenting on two minor girls and their actions, with only newspaper articles as your point of reference. These girls have been bullied enough and some of these comments is nothing more than cyber bullying! To refer to one as being filthy and a thief, with no actual prove........... Basically alot of you are bullies yourselves. Making judgements on girls that you don't know from a bar of soap. Don't you realise that both of them have access to your comments and what you say on these pages will, in some way,determin the outcome of this very sad and unfortunate event.
Mike, wrote
Following up on my previous comment, and all the other comments that followed, the only real person to blame (bearing in mind that no one on this discussion will ever know ALL the facts) is the "attacker" who hit the 'victim' over the head with a glass bottle. I will be the first to admit i have no idea the circumstances or previous events that led to this incident, there might have been bullying from both sides there might not have been, but "cyberbullying" as it has been dubbed is not a criminal offence, assault and intention to do grievous bodily harm is a criminal offence. As i stated in my previous comment, i am a very proud ex pupil, and yes the mother of the child going to the media is going to drag our schools name down, but it has to be done further action needs to be taken, and not in the sense of the pupils becoming vigilantes and taking the law into their own hands, but by standing together as a school, supporting the victims mother in all the legal action that has to be taken, and by building up from here. Put the "attacker" or someone else capable of taking a bottle to another students head in any other school under the same circumstances and a similar incident is bound to take place. The fact of the matter is a criminal offence was committed and it needs to be dealt with in the correct way, regardless of what it does to my schools name. Because the people that stereotype an entire school due to the actions of one individual... I feel sorry for you
Cindy, wrote
The principle needs to be investigated as well. I find unacceptable, in fact, offensive that the bully was allowed back at school the next day. The purpose of following disciplinary action is to first SUSPEND the guilty person , pending a decision on whether she'll be expelled or not. So I do not believe that proper procedure was followed. Furthermore, well done to the mother of the victim for taking this firm stance and creating awareness of problem that does not get treated with the seriousness it deserves. KHS and other schools needs to know that bullying WILL NOT be tolerated by anyone.
@VF, wrote
@Anonymous 3:07 - you seen to make claim that you hate the school etc and that you know the diet pills are a lie... I was standing close to the victim when the Leaders were there and the attacker actually picked up broken glass with the diet pills and through them at the victim... they hit me. So please do not make accusations based on lies you hear from your so called friends in the school, you were not there, I was. And who are you to say the victims mom had no right to go to the press, at least it shows she will go to no end to protect her daughter, clearly you did not have the same support as you state in your statement, pity because if you did maybe you would not harbour so much hatered against a school and its pupils, your sources or friends in the school who are giving you your information are clearly the one's lying to you. Go up please and just get over yourself, this is not about you.
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
@Anonymous - 7.58pm.. Who do you think you are saying that the school's name is being dragged through the dirt... I am so sure that you will be singing a different song if you were attached. No wonder you keep your name out of this... To the MOM... good on you for highlighting the plight of pupils that are being attached. And for the record the bulling was not from both sides, you have a small brain just like the attacker. Clearly you need glasses this is not about the school first and formost it is about a violent attack that took place at the school AND NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT...When the shoe is on the other foot you will sing a different song, because of narrow minded people like you things get left. To the mom and family take it all the way, may justice prevail
Anonymous, wrote
Whether the bullying came from both sides or not, bullying should not be tolerated especially when there is a weapon(in this case a glass bottle) involved, it sounds to me in regards to viewing previous comments that the school has brushed these sort of issues aside before( quote: deputy head had heard complaints previously and nothing had been done), I am not a former pupil or parent of a pupil from this school, but hopefully this school has learnt from this and should address bullying in the correct manner and punishment should be made accordingly to accused attacker, as publicity like this will eventually give KHS a bad reputation preventing the next generation of high academic achievers parents or guardians to enrol there children in this school, I am a former bullying victim and the school that I attended addressed my case imeadiatly & fairly for both sides of the parties involved and resulted in no expulsion or drastic measures taken, We go to school to learn education and discover who we really are, not live in fear of fellow pupils, peers and in this case teachers
Anonymous, wrote
I have a son who was also assaulted by a fellow school pupil earlier this year. The incident happened just after school, on the pavement. He had to have facial reconstructive surgery!!!!!!! Not to mention that he could have incurred brain damage or lost his eyesight in one eye. The school couldnt do anything to the assailant apparently. (as it happened off school grounds) Even though the assailant was in school uniform. We were also not allowed to attend the 'disciplinary hearing' held for the boy and the school did not advise us of the outcome (let alone a phone call to see how my son as after the attack)
VICTIM, wrote
How dare this girl does this what was she thinking and if she reads this I hope she’s ashamed. Being a fellow victim of bullying and nothing ever happening I know how the girl must feel. For the bullying to stop for me I had to stand up in front of the schools board and tell them it was only when I left the school the bully was dealt with. In the process of being bullied I sprained a hand and was picked up and thrown into a terracotta pot. I am ashamed of that school in many different aspects I hope this matter gets resolved in the correct way or in some way. The school is going to have a blood stain on its name forever or at least until every one forgets. My cousin committed suicide because of being bullied.
Anonymous, wrote
The bullying was clearly from both sides! Mr Bailey is following the correct procedure which he is obligated to follow according to G.E.D legislation. Mom stop dragging KHS's name down by running to the press to protect your "innocent" daughter. Not in the least impressed, with the girls involved, nor the mom.
Anonymous, wrote
I would just like to say i am a current pupil at KHS and like most of you i agree that this is putting KHS and krugursdorps name in shame .. However i do believe our scholl should have delt with this in a better way .. I had heard about this from another friend of the victims who was standing up for her when the asalter got one of her friends to invite this girl over bbm and proceeded to ask he since when had the victim hired body guards to protect her .. The same morning of the attack while standing in a group with the victim and other friends of hers the asalters friends were constantly walking past and giving us funny looks .. I will agree that neither of the two girls are innocent with the cyberbullying , but for it to be taken as far as it did was very un lady like and should of been dealt with in a much better manner . The attacker is one of our schools very best athletes and has been rumoured that monas was looking at “buying her” .. She is not a good image for our school and personally i would like to see her out ! She has been expelled from two prior school maragon being one where she stole blackberries ... And to be honest I'm sad at the way the school i am verry proud to be at is being put to shame by one filthy girl
fedup, wrote
How can people worry about a school's reputation when a child has been hit over the head with a bottle? If that attacker had been an adult she would have been thrown into the police cells and waited weeks for bail. This girl sounds is bad news..her attack sounds like it was premeditated. What's next - a knife in the guts of one targets? It happens! KHS don't think you're exempt. As for the mom going to the media I say WELL DONE!!! This has to be brought into the open for society to debate. You have done a lot of good by going public. Maybe KHS will develop a bullying policy that it applies in future. Kids..don't let nasty stuff on facebook go this far...keep your parents and your teachers informed.
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
I believe the bully is a good athlete, so some teachers are protecting her because they need her on the team.... How sad is that!
Anonymous, wrote
I would just like to say i am a current pupil at KHS and like most of you i agree that this is putting KHS and krugursdorps name in shame .. However i do believe our scholl should have delt with this in a better way .. I had heard about this from another friend of the victims who was standing up for her when the asalter got one of her friends to invite this girl over bbm and proceeded to ask he since when had the victim hired body guards to protect her .. The same morning of the attack while standing in a group with the victim and other friends of hers the asalters friends were constantly walking past and giving us funny looks .. I will agree that neither of the two girls are innocent with the cyberbullying , but for it to be taken as far as it did was very un lady like and should of been dealt with in a much better manne r . The attacker is one of our schools very best athletes and has been rumoured that monas was looking at "buying her" .. She is not a good image for our school and personally i would like to see her out ! She has been expelled from two prior school maragon being one where she stole blackberries ... And to be honest I'm sad at the way the school i am verry proud to be at is being put to shame by one filthy girl r
Anonymous, wrote
I am a current pupil at Krugersdorp High school, i did not witness the confrontation myself but i did see the photos and heard all about it. I know the reputation of both girls and the violence could have been prevented. This entire incident has disgraced the school, it is NOT FAIR to blame the school, it is not the schools fault. The attacker is known for outbursts and bad behavior, when the victim went to the grade heads to report it they should have taken action straight away knowing the the attackers behavior. It saddens me greatly to hear all the negative remarks about my school. Krugersdorp High School is a very good school. This is an isolated incident and could have happened at any school.THE ATTACKER SHOULD BE EXPELLED. It is NOT a minor offence, if this matter is not dealt with in the correct manor it paints a very frightening picture of what could happen next...
ME, wrote
To anonymous that stated "Perhaps the Parents of these girls should take a good long look at themselves. You should actually state that the attacker's mom should take a long hard look at her selves and what's going on in her house. One of the comments states that this is not the first time that the attacker does something like this. If my child was the victim, I would also do what the Mom of the victim is doing now. I take my had off for the Mom of the victim as she kept herself cool and calm from not slapping the attacker right off her little feet as what I would have done.
Anonymous, wrote
i am a student at KHS in Matric and have known the ATTACKER for quite some time.. It is sad to think that everything the school has worked so hard to create over the last 100 years has now been destroyed by a PYHSCO. if the school does not have her sorted out the students most certainly will as we fear for our own lives.. If this acion gets worse, which i think it will, the school is in for some more trouble. the students of KHS will take this into their own hands to protect our fellow students if KHS does not do anything about it..
Reese, wrote
Once again some people want to make excuses for what was an assault on that poor child. Those kids knew what they were doing and tried to destroy her reputation not only online but in a physical assault. They should not only be expelled from the school but should also be arrested. They have committed a crime. This bullying stuff is out of control. There also needs to be some revamped laws concerning internet conduct. I am for free speech but it has limits and when it comes to bullying and defamation that is NOT what the first amendment was intended for. There is way too little done by websites like Facebook and Twitter and then you have websites like Topix and Formspring that are even worse and children and adults alike are being destroyed. Something needs to be done about the Communications Decency Act Section 230 that makes it hard to sue companies that refuse to do anything about bullying. That was a bad law when it was passed in the early days of the internet and has invited online bullying.
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