School bully from Mbambankunzi sent to jail

A grade 11 Mathole High School pupil facing charges of bullying and assault, has been sentenced to three months imprisonment by the Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court for absconding from her court appearance without explanation.

The 16-year-old was arrested in September and charged with assault with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH), after severely assaulting a fellow female pupil.

The incident was caught on camera and the video went viral on social media platforms.

The victim’s family opened an assault case at the Mahlabathini police station.

After the arrest, the accused was released into the custody of her parents.

She was expected to appear in court on 23 February, but failed to do so. Her mother told the court she did not know the whereabouts of her daughter.

The matter was then postponed to Tuesday, 9 March for an enquiry into the reasons for her non-attendance.

She failed to provide the court with valid reasons for her absence and was found guilty and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, beginning her jail term on the same day.

She is expected to return to court on Wednesday, 31 March for the assault case.

KZN MEC for Education, Kwazi Mshengu, has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of the accused and said he was pleased with the manner in which law enforcement agencies dealt with the matter.

“We have had a number of cases involving pupils bullying others in schools.

“Despite our campaigns to stop this behaviour, it appears that some pupils continue to disregard our call.

“We hope this sentence and the likelihood of another one for assault will serve as a deterrent. We therefore welcome the sentence,” Mshengu said.

He further explained that his department had also embarked on its own processes, which led to the tribunal recommending the expulsion of the accused pupil.