The KwaZulu-Natal department of education has expelled five grade 10 pupils from Newlands East secondary in Stanger for assaulting another learner early this year.
The pupils were suspended in February after a video circulated on social media, showing them assaulting a fellow learner in the school’s toilets.
Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the school governing body conducted an investigation and a disciplinary hearing was held.
“The recommendations were the expulsion of these learners. However, because they are still of school-going age, we shall have to do a placement for them in other schools. As the department, we need to give them a second chance so that they can be better citizens of the country,” Mahlambi said.
Mahlambi said the provincial head of department, Dr Enock Vusumzi Nzama, had applied his mind from the office to effect the decision.
“The district office had received the expulsion letters from the office of the HOD to effect the decision."
Nzama said they wanted to send a very strong warning to any learner that involved herself/himself in any form of bullying that they will be dealt with harshly.
On Tuesday, two learners from Mathole High School in the Zululand district were also suspended for assaulting a fellow learner.
In the video that circulated on Facebook, a learner was seen pulling the victim with her underwear which tore off. She was then seen kicking and punching her in the face with the victim pleading with the attacker to leave her alone.
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