Image via Twitter: GPSurvivors
Father to pursue legal action after pupil’s finger was allegedly ripped off
The parents of a 12-year-old Grade 6 pupil will be pursuing legal action against the Department of Education after their son lost the tip of his pinkie finger in a bullying incident.
Image via Twitter: GPSurvivors
How Khodani lost the tip of his finger
As reported by Keitumetse Maako from Rekord Moot, 12-year-old Khodani lost the tip of his pinkie finger when five boys at Laerskool Booysens in Pretoria prevented other pupils from leaving a classroom.
Khodani’s finger got caught in the door during the scuffle. The incident occurred on 20 February, however, the parents claim that they’ve received “no answer” from the education department until the post went viral on Twitter.
The photos can be viewed here, however, do take note of the graphic warning. Ratshitanga told Record Moot: “They only called me yesterday after pressure from social media”.
Twitter users react
One user known only as Rsndaa5 said it’s time for citizens to stand up and let their voices as parents be heard. The user added:
“We send our kids to school for education and this is what happens. It is enough. We need to stand up. Our kids are dying.”
Another netizen asked, “Where were the teachers,” and added that supervision is vital, at all time. In addition, @VusBiyel highlighted another problem by saying parents should be taking responsibility too:
“Just [expelling] kids is not a solution. Kids learn this behaviour. Parents must take responsibility and not have an Ostrich approach towards their kids”.
Another user, @MKarumazondo, said school officials “think they are the law onto themselves and sweep such heinous crimes under the carpet. The user added that he “shudders to think how many incidents have been covered up”.
Panyaza Lesufi to take action
Following the outcry on social media, Gauteng Education Department MEC Panyaza Lesufi shared the post on Twitter and confirmed that the incident. “Unfortunately this is true,” he said, and added:
“We’ve summoned the principal as this matter was not reported timeously. Our team will visit the school on Monday [9 March] to take appropriate action”.
“This is really very very upsetting. Extremely upsetting.. How did our educators become so nonchalant about our kids. We can not allow our kids to die and others live with such horrible scares for life. It needs serious rectification.. We need to stop this.”
Reaction on Twitter, @rsndaa5
This is a developing story, more to follow.
