The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development MEC, Mbali Shinga, has called for tough action against the Hybrid Learning Academy in Chatsworth following the allegations of assault of a 5-year-old mute girl at school.
Speaking to the Daily News from her Merebank home, the mother, who could not be identified to protect the girl, said the family is angry and traumatised by the school’s action and demanded justice
The mother said her daughter came back from school last week, appearing unwell. The mother found the girl had injuries to her mouth. She believes that bruises on the girl’s thighs appear to be in the shape of fingers and are proof that someone had beaten her.
The mother added that the following day the girl cried and refused to be taken to school, something she had not done in the past.
To the family’s surprise, the mother said, the school principal, Jolene Nadasen was uncooperative and denied that the girl was assaulted.
“We are angry at the attitude of the principal, because we thought at least she would say she would investigate the matter, but instead she threatened to unleash her lawyers on us.
“It is painful to see my child injured while she won’t be able to explain anything to me since she is non-verbal. I pray for justice for my child,” lamented the mother.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said Chatsworth SAPS was investigating a case of assault following an incident in which a 5-year-old girl came home from school with what looked like assault marks on her thighs.
Nadasen said she was unaware of any case of assault being opened against the school. She was only aware of an inquiry being done by the Chatsworth SAPS. Nadasen denied the accusations made, saying there was no truth to them.
“The family decided to make this inquiry via the SAPS. I was requested to provide a statement regarding the accounts of the child’s day up until being handed over to the family, which we have agreed to provide and will abide by any further requests in their investigation.
“The family has also gone against following through, letting the SAPS deal with the matter, which they requested, and are currently defaming the school on social platforms stating that SAPS has given them permission.
“I have brought this to the attention of the person dealing with the inquiry,” said Nadasen.
Weighing in on the matter, department spokesperson Mhlaba Memela said Shinga was always disturbed by any form of abuse to children, adding that Shinga was calling for tough action against the school should it be found wrong on the matter.
Memela said although early childhood centres were no longer under the department, “the part involving the welfare of the children” still remained with the department.
Shinga called on the SAPS to get to the bottom of the incident so that the family can find peace knowing justice was being done for the child