DURBAN - THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is investigating a video that emerged on social media where a school girl was repeatedly slapped outside a school near Pinetown in Durban.
On Monday, a source said police were at the school investigating allegations of bullying outside the school premises.
The incident was filmed on a cellphone and shared on Facebook. The poster called for the department to intervene and for those who recorded incidents of bullying and assault to be arrested.
In the video, pupils from the school are seen standing with their phones recording while a girl is being slapped repeatedly by three other schoolgirls.
Department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said: “We are dealing with the matter.”
DA Education spokesperson Imraan Keeka described the attack as vicious and sickening to the core.
“Worse still, there is more than one person involved in this vile and detestable assault, while some others are despicably jeering and recording on the sidelines.
“This is a criminal act, and those who are responsible for the assault must be criminally charged.
“A strong message was sent earlier this year when the perpetrator of another horrible bullying act was met with the might of the law and should be a lesson for all.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the book must be identically thrown at the perpetrators of this odious offence,” he said.
Keeka added that the department should investigate the matter fully and involve the police and arrange urgent counselling for all involved.
“I urge people who come across the video clip not to share it. This causes more pain for the victim and may have legal implications for those who share it, given that these may be minors.”
Daily News