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NHLAKANIPHO MNQAYI
LEARNERS of a high school in Newlands East, north of Durban, are living in fear because of a learner who's described as a bully and a delinquent who smokes dagga on school premises.
The fear stems from last week's incident, where it's alleged that a Lakehaven Secondary School Grade 12 learner beat the school's security officer to a pulp.
The security officer had reported the learner to the school principal for smoking dagga. It is alleged that the learner sometimes smokes with one of the school's teachers.
In a letter written by one of the learners, it alleges that the principal was called to intervene; however, he just watched the assault and went back to his office.
The letter further alleges that the principal later went on a classroom tour, instructing learners not to discuss the assault incident because it "had nothing to do with them."
One of the parents alleges that even the principal is scared of the learner.
"The principal makes changes without informing certain teachers. When learners complain about the bully, he ignores them. We had to tell him not to enrol this learner because we fear for our children's safety, but he did the opposite," said one of the parents who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In last week's incident, it is alleged the learner came to school smoking dagga, and the security officer denied him entry but forced his way in. He then went to a teacher's office, and when he came out, he made a beeline for the security officer and started assaulting him with punches and kicked him.
The security officer is in a critical condition in the hospital.
"After the incident, the principal took the learner and held him in his office. The principal then threatened learners who wanted to write a statement about what happened.
A day after the incident, the learners wrote the statement to give to the police. The learner has been arrested.
The spokesperson for the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Muzi Mahlambi, said the school is not a place for bullies, and they are happy that the learner has been arrested.
"We will deal with the incident. We wish the security guard a speedy recovery," said Mahlaba.