School dismisses racism claim in assault case

A PARENT has been accused of assaulting a Grade 6 pupil during an incident that allegedly took place recently on the grounds of a local school in Kimberley 

The parent of the 12-year-old pupil has laid a charge of assault.

He claimed that the pupils had been joking among themselves, and one of them reported the conversation to his father. The man reportedly confronted the pupil the following day while collecting his own child from school.

It is alleged that the father grabbed the pupil by the neck and threatened him. The complainant further claimed the incident was racially motivated and said his child sustained bruises to the neck.

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said that the Kimberley police are investigating the alleged assault of a 12-year-old pupil on June 12.

“It is believed that the pupil was on school property when an adult male reportedly grabbed him and slapped him behind the head. The investigation continues. No arrest has been made,” Ehlers said.

The school principal stated that the incident had been reported to the relevant education authorities and that an incident report had been filed with the police.

“All necessary steps were taken in the best interests of the pupils. Understandably, parents are protective of their children, but on the other hand, acting on impulse has its repercussions. We engaged with the parents of both pupils to resolve the matter,” the principal said.

He was not convinced that the incident was racially motivated and emphasised that the school condemns any form of racism.

“Following a disciplinary hearing, we have prohibited the father of the child, who directly approached the pupil without the knowledge of the school, from entering the school gates for an extended period. He will only be permitted to drop his child off outside the school. The father apologised for his behaviour.”

The principal added that, according to the school’s internal investigation, the pupil had not been physically assaulted or pushed.

“The child indicated that he had not been injured following the incident, and the school did not deem it necessary to send him for medical attention,” he stated.   

In an unrelated incident earlier this month, a Kimberley teacher, Gerhard Louw, failed in his legal bid to be reinstated after being dismissed for allegedly calling two black pupils the K-word during a winter school programme in June 2024.

The incident occurred while Louw was supervising a hostel where seven girls had been temporarily placed.

The pupils testified that Louw reacted angrily to their presence and insulted them using a racial slur. Louw admitted to being angry and making insulting comments but denied using the slur.

The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) commissioner, David Pietersen, found the students’ testimonies credible and noted Louw had no witnesses to support his version. He ruled that Louw’s dismissal was fair and appropriate, describing his conduct as “despicable” and stating that using the slur was illegal and degrading.