Allegations of cover-up after stabbing incident at a Durbanville primary school
WOUNDED: The minor was stabbed in the chest
Image: Supplied
A 13-year-old was left seriously injured after he was allegedly stabbed by fellow pupils at Alpha Primary School in Durbanville, with his family claiming the wound was just two centimetres from his heart.
The minor’s grandmother, Christina Hendricks, said that the incident happened during interval on February 23.
Hendricks said: “He and some other friends were playing with a ball.
“Then five children came and attacked him. They threw stones at him and hit him.
“Another boy, who is taller than him, choked him, and he fell on the ground. They stabbed him in the arm, and another boy stabbed him in the chest.
“The school called me, and when I arrived, my grandson had a bandage on.”
She said that after taking the boy to a medical facility for treatment.
She added: “The doctor took X-rays and said that the stab wound was two centimetres from his heart.”
She said that the school is allegedly sweeping the incident under the carpet.
Dr Chadrick Fortuin of the Piketberg United Democratic Community Forum said that he had attended a disciplinary hearing on March 5 to represent the learner; however, he said the boy was treated like a suspect rather than the victim.
Fortuin said that had he not been present, there could have been a real risk that the learner could have been wrongfully expelled on misleading information presented during the hearing.
Fortuin said: “This raises serious concerns…
“Any person facing allegations must be given a fair opportunity to present their side of the story before any decision is taken against them.
“Additional concerns were raised regarding procedural compliance and oversight. No representative from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) was present at the disciplinary hearing."
He added that an incident report should have been submitted to the WCED and law enforcement; it is alleged that the process wasn’t followed, which led Hendricks to open a criminal case.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that an assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm case was registered at Durbanville SAPS.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the school has confirmed that an altercation took place and ensured that the learner received prompt medical attention at a local day hospital.
She said: “The learner’s family was informed without delay and remained involved throughout.”
She added that it is not required for the WCED to be presented during a hearing, as the Disciplinary Committee of the SGB deals with breaches of the Code of Conduct.
Hammond added: “The disciplinary process has not yet been finalised – the outcome is pending. There is a criminal investigation, with the school cooperating with that investigation. The learner is currently suspended.”