Following the assault of a Grade Eight learner by a group of fellow pupils at a secondary school in Kathorus, Principal Justice Nyiko Manganyi has been temporarily removed and transferred to the district office, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

According to Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona, the principal was transferred on August 1 due to his failure to properly investigate the involvement of other learners in the near-fatal incident.

The newly appointed acting principal is Jacob Lebaka.

The learner was attacked by a group of fellow pupils on July 23 and was severely injured and hospitalised.

Mabona added: “The department was alerted to the disruptions reportedly caused by learners from about four schools in the Vosloorus area, who were protesting at Thuto-Lesedi Secondary School. This resulted in the disruption of teaching and learning across the affected schools.

“To respond urgently, the department deployed officials to engage with learners and parents. The GDE is also working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of all learners and staff, and to restore order at the affected institutions.”

He said the department is working tirelessly to resolve the bullying incident.

“In light of the assault that led to the disruptions, the department has received information suggesting the learner was allegedly assaulted by approximately four learners.

“The three most recently identified alleged perpetrators have been suspended with immediate effect, pending the outcome of a disciplinary process. They join a fourth learner who was previously suspended. This action follows standard procedure in cases of learner misconduct of this nature,” Mabona said.

School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson at Thuto-Lesedi Secondary School, Morongoa Ramaru, confirmed that during a meeting on August 1 with officials from the MEC’s office and the Ekurhuleni district acting director, it was decided that the principal be temporarily suspended with immediate effect.

“We came to the school to ensure that learning continues, especially as Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners are due to write preliminary exams soon, but unfortunately, the learners seemed to have their own agenda of protesting.

“Our main responsibility is to host a disciplinary hearing, but the incident happened on July 23, and we were only informed on July 29. From our investigation, we found that the Grade 8 learner was gang-attacked by five of his schoolmates.”

She added that the SGB has served four other learners involved with suspension letters.

One of the suspected attackers appeared at the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court on August 4 on charges of attempted murder, assault and robbery.

His case was postponed to August 19, and he is currently detained at a youth detention centre.

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