CAPE TOWN - An Elsies River mother believes her daughter, who was assaulted by an alleged bully and the incident recorded and shared on social media, could have been protected if Valhalla High School informed the parents about a suspected threat against her.
Police are now investigating the assault of the 15-year-old learner.
The pupil is alleged to have informed some teachers on Friday that she was fearful because rumours emerged there were people who would beat her after school for reasons she did not know.
“My daughter's friend informed her about the rumours and wanted to know what she did, however she was clueless. On Thursday she witnessed two other learners fighting and she was called into the office for that. However she used the opportunity to inform the teachers about the rumours because she was scared.”
According to the mother, the learner was advised that when the school day was done, she should remain behind for a while and leave when she notices other learners are gone.
“The school failed to call us as parents so that we could fetch our child. Just outside the school she indeed found people waiting for her and a girl she doesn't know from another school assaulted her.
“This was shared on social media. She’s struggling to sleep on one side of her head because of the pain. She is traumatised and needs counselling. My husband had to drop her at school this morning and fetch her. These are the things that lead children to depression and stress because she has been embarrassed,” said the mother.
She described her daughter as a reputable learner who was the Grade Head of the RCL and is presently the captain of the rugby team.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said a common assault case was lodged at Elsies River police station for investigation.
“This matter was reported on April 23. Investigations continue, no arrest yet.”
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the school was made aware of the Friday incident only on Sunday night.
She said the incident was being probed.
“The school management are aware of the incident on Friday, which happened outside of the school premises, after school hours. The perpetrator was allegedly not from the school.
They are investigating the circumstances around this incident, as well as, of another incident that occurred the day before which involved the same female learner.
“The learner had been called into the office that day as a result of the incident the previous day. At no point did the learner approach school management,” said Hammond.
She said the school principal engaged with the learners father yesterday morning, and was engaging with the parents of other learners involved.
“Despite this, what transpired is of major concern for the school, as well as, the distribution of the alleged fight on social media. All incidents are being investigated.”
Cape Times