A Grade 8 learner at Ladysmith Secondary School (Lasec) was assaulted and dragged away outside the school premises on Monday afternoon.
The learner had arrived at school like any other day; he was writing an English examination. Once the paper was completed, the boy proceeded towards the exit of the school premises in Drividian Road.
During an exclusive interview, the 16-year-old recalls the traumatic attack he faced.
It is believed that a group of people, one of them armed with a pick handle, sent a fellow learner to call the youngster. Not realising what lay in store for him, the boy walked towards the group.
Once the boy got closer, he noticed that the men were armed and attempted to flee, but by then he was cornered and tripped, forcing him to the ground. “I got slapped continuously. One of the guys accused me of assaulting his relative and said that if I want to be a gangster, he’ll show me what a gangster is,” said the teenager.
Despite several attempts to plead his innocence, the men refused to listen.
The teen was then caught by his jacket collar and led away on foot in the direction of Meena Place (Aloe Park area). Throughout the ordeal, the youngster was assaulted.
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A school security guard noticed what was happening and followed the group. The guard called for backup and once they reached a house near Meena Place, the security guard intervened and rescued the boy. The terrified boy was taken back to school, where he relayed his horrific ordeal.
The Grade 8 learner’s mother was immediately notified and was called to the school.
Ladysmith Secondary principal Mr AN Govender commented, “It is absolutely disappointing to note the behaviour of adults from the community I serve. In this day and age, where the learners search for role models, I feel the children have been let down. A granny, uncle, a mother and grandson, together with a henchman, attack a 16-year-old learner. The law must take its course.”
The 35-year-old mother is thankful for the intervention of the security guard. “We hear of children being kidnapped and reported missing all the time. Who knows what would have happened to my child,” said the distraught mother. She elaborated by saying, “No one has the right to assault another person.
“If the family had a problem, they should have contacted me, not act in this barbaric manner.”
Thulani Dlamini (Senior Security Officer of Lasec) said, “All I did was to protect a learner of Ladysmith Secondary.
“I treat them like my children. I will not let anyone take advantage of the learners of this school. I followed the attackers because I knew the learner had no one and they were carrying dangerous weapons…
“I am proud that I prevented the learner from being attacked with a pick handle. To the learners of Lasec, I will always be there for you.”
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