A member of Khula Community Development, Petros Majola, confirmed that they still want the Department of Education to ensure that the dignity of a boy (11) from Luthuthu Primary School in Ugie, who was forced by his principal to retrieve a cellphone from a pit toilet, is restored.
This followed after the South African Council of Educators (SACE) ruled that the former principal of this school, Lubeko Mgandela, had been removed from the register of educators and would never be allowed to work with children again.
“I must say that, as the organisation that advocates for children’s rights, we don’t celebrate the outcomes of people who are dismissed from their jobs, because we know the pain of losing a job.
“However, we are looking for justice after this incident. What is the Department of Education doing for the victim to make sure that we bring back his dignity?” asked Majola.
He said they are supposed to bring back hope, life and confidence, so that when he is among other people, he should stop thinking that he was once sent to put in his hand in a pit latrine toilet.
Majola said these disciplinary processes were not helping the victim and the fact that Mgandela had been dismissed does not mean the victim would gain something out of that.
“We approached a law firm, with the assistance of the Human Rights Commission, to litigate the Department of Education and make sure that it pays for the damage that happened to the victim so that he may grow up getting all the support he needs, like going to psychologists.
“Once that justice is served in the life of that boy, then we will be happy.”
The Tsolo Magistrate Court last year sentenced Mgandela to 24 months in prison or a R4 000 fine, after he pleaded guilty to child abuse.
The Eastern Cape Education Department spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima, said they welcomed the decision that was taken by SACE.
“We hope that this would send a strong message to all the teachers out there. They should know that there are consequences in all actions that are taken,” said Mtima.
