Bullying incident leaves Tongaat mother demanding justice for her injured teen daughter

A TONGAAT mother is calling for justice after her 13-year-old daughter was allegedly assaulted by a fellow pupil outside school on Monday. 

The mother, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her minor daughter, a Grade 8 pupil, said she would not rest until those responsible were held accountable. 

“My child was thrown around and beaten so brutally that she is lucky to still walk or be alive. This is unacceptable.”

The woman said she received a call from her daughter’s transporter, who had been waiting to fetch her from school.

“I was told that my child was beaten by this older girl. When she got home, I was shocked to see her in such a state. She had cuts and bruises all over her.

"Her lower back was severely bruised after she was flung to the ground and landed against the staircase. What if my child fell more than 30 stairs down? She could have been left paralysed or dead.” 

The woman said her daughter had become a victim of bullying since the beginning of this year.

“Since she joined the school, it seemed like she was being targeted because of her appearance. She was always called derogatory names. My child was left traumatised and became withdrawn. When I asked, she told me what was happening and I reported it to the school. I hoped something would be done. 

“But on Monday, a girl, who was once her friend, approached my daughter during the lunch break and asked what she had mentioned to her brother. My daughter was confused and asked this girl what she meant. But the bell rang and they had to return to class.

"After school, my daughter approached the same girl, while she was talking to her transport. She asked her again what she was talking about. The girl couldn't respond. My daughter got upset and told her not to speak to her again. 

“My daughter continued to walk and the girl went back and spoke to another girl, who was in a higher grade. When my daughter turned around, the girl pointed to her. My daughter knew something was wrong and started to run. The older girl, as well as other children, ran after her."  

The mother said her daughter ran up a flight of stairs to get to a bus stop where her transporter waited for her. 

“As she reached the top of the stairs, the older girl grabbed hold of her by her school bag and flung her to the ground. My daughter said she hit her back against the stairs, jumped on top of her, and punched her on the head. She also had scratches on her face and bruises on her neck. Her hands have bruises from trying to defend herself. 

“Thankfully, her transporter saw what was happening and ran to help her. He managed to get her off my daughter. The other girl then told her, ‘you got guts to tell me not to speak to you’, before walking away."

The mother said she would not back down until they received justice.

"I have reported the incident to the police and will wait on the school to take action against these pupils. Bullying and violence should not be tolerated by schools. My daughter is recovering and is afraid to go back to school. I am heartbroken that she had to go through this.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza, a provincial police spokesperson, said Tongaat police are investigating a case of common assault. 

THE POST