Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima, confirmed that the department had issued letters of suspension to three female teachers from Mqabo Primary School in Ngcobo, after they were accused of assaulting a Grade 3 learner on October 29, 2021.
Zizipho Maqolo (25), Ncebakazi Soyizwaphi (32) and Vuyokazi Dyani (35) were charged with the assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that the victim saw educators kissing each other and is said to have shared the information with other learners.
She was allegedly confronted by these educators and further assaulted.
“We are going to ensure that we are assisting the learner so that she can be able to write her final examinations. So far the district and the school are working together to ensure that all the kids from this school are prepared to write their exams,” said Mtima, who agreed that there were still some few schools that were using corporal punishment, even though it had been abolished.
The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, (NPA), Luxolo Tyhali, confirmed that the trio briefly appeared before the Ngcobo Magistrate’s Court and were granted bail of R500 each. He said they were charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
“The matter was postponed to December 7 for further investigations,” said Tyhali.
The victim’s mother said she could not believe her eyes when she saw her daughter struggling to walk when she came from school on the day of the incident. The mother said the child told her that she was accused by these teachers of gossiping about them to other learners.
“I am still shocked because my daughter cannot even go to school. What is worse is that I have another child who is also doing the same grade in the same school. I am afraid that she will also be victimised. Someone must tell me what happened to my child. I only need answers and the law to take its course,” said the mother.
She said she would look for another school that would accommodate them next year because they would not be safe if they go back to Mqabo.
An activist from Khula Community Development, Petros Majola, said it is not nice to hear about these problems, and that justice needs to be served.
