STATEMENT FROM MEC SENZO MCHUNU

The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal has noted with great concern the report from Statistics South Africa that the Department is among the worst offenders when it comes to corporal punishment. We find this disturbing because on numerous occasions we have gone public impressing upon our educators the dangers and consequences of this unlawful practice.

We want to reiterate our unambiguous position on corporal punishment. Everyone who is found to have acted against the law regarding this matter will be dealt with accordingly by the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal. We have many cases of educators who have even lost their jobs as a result of this misdemeanour. To this end, we want to warn that corporal punishment is against the law and everyone should refrain from this practice.