[FOLLOW UP] Girl’s dignity compromised after being denied permission to use the bathroom during Nic Diederichs school search
"She was intimidated by the woman, before she could reach the bathroom."
The News approached the Department of Education for its comment on the incident that occurred at Nic Diederichs Technical High School, when a number of local Community Policing Forum (CPF) members and members of the Krugersdorp Police searched the learners for dangerous weapons and illegal substances on 22 August.
The Department responded by saying the search was conducted in line with the Safety and Security Measures agreed upon during an earlier meeting with the principal.
“A request was made by the police co-ordinator for the area, and permission was granted by the school. The first operation conducted on 16 May, was considered victimisation because selected classes were searched instead of all and so all classes were searched during the second operation. It is disappointing that dangerous weapons were confiscated by the police,” said Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Department.
Read the initial article here: Parents furious about school search done by CPF and police
However, more than 20 parents contacted the News saying CPF members who accompanied the police during the searches intimidated children, took their jewellery and denied them access to the bathroom during the searches.
The Department denied that claims of intimidation were reported and said there was a certain female CPF member who allegedly told a girl that she had to hurry up when she asked to go to the bathroom.
“It was revealed that a learner at the school requested to go to the bathroom while the search was being conducted. The learner was unhappy as one of the CPF members told her to ‘hurry up’ and this upset her. The matter was resolved amicably and the learner re-joined the rest of the girls,” said Mabona.
However, the father of the girl told a completely different story. “My daughter was menstruating and asked the CPF members if she can go to the bathroom. The woman asked her to prove that she was going to the bathroom. She had to take out her sanitary products in front of her school friends and show them to her, to convince her. She was intimidated by the woman, causing her to bleed through before she could reach the bathroom. She refused my child permission to go to the bathroom, but because she was in desperate need, she walked to the bathroom anyway. As I understand it, her menstruation is quite severe. So severe that she sometimes has to stay at home.”
The father has employed an attorney and has decided to take legal action against the woman who intimidated his daughter because he feels her dignity was violated.
Also Read: Passionate new principal at THS
Some parents also complained that their children’s jewellery was confiscated. They claim the jewellery was stowed away in their bags, but during the search it was confiscated by the CPF members.
“Female members of staff who accompanied the girls reported the girls’ jewellery was also confiscated by the ladies who were conducting the searches. This was brought to the attention of the police coordinator who immediately intervened and informed the female sergeant in charge of the girls’ search to stop confiscating these items.
“Jewellery items already confiscated by the team were taken as part of the evidence and the school is still awaiting procedure and feedback on the identifying and return thereof,” said Mabona.
The Department also noted that random searches are conducted in schools as learners have a right to learn in a safe and supportive environment.
“A safe school environment is conducive for effective teaching and learning and schools must be safe zones for all learners and educators.”
Illegal substances which are banned from schools, such as drugs and alcohol, pose a threat to their safety.
Other items which were confiscated included two knives, four packets of dagga, 14 packets of cigarettes, 20 lighters, two screwdrivers and 11 mirror shards.
The father concluded his complaint by saying he was not angry because of the things that were confiscated. “We are angry about the way the way they were treated,” he said.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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