Durban - A Chatsworth principal has been charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm for allegedly hitting a 12-year-old pupil with a pipe.
Asogan Naicker, 53, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with the case. The charge sheet states that Naicker, who is the principal of Savannah Park Secondary combined school, that has grades R to 12, allegedly assaulted the pupil in October 2013 by hitting her with a plastic pipe on her hands.
The pupil cannot be named because she is a minor.
Naicker was only summoned to appear in court in February this year. Attempts to resolve the case through alternative dispute resolution had been unsuccessful.
On Wednesday the girl and her parents were in court for the case.
There was an initial commotion when Naicker failed to appear in the dock after his name had been called by the court orderly, and magistrate Busisiwe Mpungose granted a warrant for his arrest.
A few minutes later Naicker came to court and explained that he had been waiting for his attorney and had not heard his name being called.
Attorney Arvina Haricharan explained to the court that Naicker’s attorney was ill and had not come to court and she would stand in for her.
“I have spoken to the attorney on the phone just now. The client has apologised. He claims that he had been looking for his attorney outside court.”
Mpungose asked Naicker if he had not heard his name, and when he replied that he had not, she replied: “You expect me to believe that?”
However, she cancelled the warrant and the case was adjourned to May 20 for statements to be given to the defence.
Naicker is out on warning.
The school’s governing body chairman, Musa Shezi, who was also at court, said the organisation was concerned about the allegations.
“We are monitoring the case, but we have been happy with the principal and the staff. The school is running smoothly.”
He said that there were suggestions that the case had been brought up by “members of the community” who were interfering with the running of the school.
The girl’s uncle said the pupil was allegedly hit in front of other pupils and the family were surprised it took almost two years for the case to get to court.
He said that the family had placed the child in another school because she had been afraid of going to the school.
“We know that there are people who want to interfere with this case, but we are not involved in any politics, we just want justice to be done.”
Education Department spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said the department viewed cases of assault by teachers on pupils “seriously”.
“It is worse if it is alleged to have been committed by the principal, because he represents the employer (department) at the school. The matter is being investigated by the department and if the allegations are found to be true, we will not hesitate to take drastic action against him.”
The Mercury