Update: Former principal appears in court
The 44 year old former school principal of Manyano Primary, Khutje Mseteka, appeared before the Middelburg Magistrate's Court, on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) in connection with the 2016 assault of 14 year old student, Siphamandla Choma, who has since died.
Siphamandla was allegedly assaulted by the principal of his primary school in Mhluzi late last year, after he was accused of stealing R150.
He was left paralysed and his family instituted a legal claim worth R25 Million against the Department of Education.
In March this year, Siphamandla died.
Autopsy results have not been revealed but according to a well placed source, the child may have died of Cancer and not as a result of the beating.
Also read:
Media frenzy over paralyzed student
Update: Headmaster remains suspended
One neighbour, who spoke to the Middelburg Observer on condition of anonymity, said that the boy was in and out of hospital with a walking problem for many months before the assault.
“It’s possible that the assault aggravated the condition but certainly did not cause it,” she said.
The accused appeared in Middelburg Regional Court last week on a charge of assault GBH, and the matter was postponed to 12 September.
