Africa-Press – South-Africa. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube says she is disturbed by the alleged assault of a matric pupil who was accused of stealing a cellphone at school.
“We are very disturbed about the assault of the 19-year-old female learner who was assaulted after she finished writing her isiZulu matric paper.
“The pain and suffering this young girl has had to endure at the hands of her fellow schoolmates is deplorable. The provincial government is providing all the necessary assistance, including psychosocial support for the young girl and her family,” Dube-Ncube said.
It is alleged that a group of young men beat the pupil and threatened her with a firearm.
Dube-Ncube was alerted to the incident while chairing a provincial executive council sitting on Wednesday, and visited the pupil at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, accompanied by Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane.
She said the Department of Basic Education would make provision for the pupil to write her exams next year.
The premier urged communities to take a stand against the abuse of women, children and the elderly.
“We are appealing to our communities to have a zero-tolerance stance against people who abuse women, children, learners, people with disabilities, and the elderly. We will spare no effort to eradicate the scourge of violence against women and children wherever it raises its ugly head,” Dube-Ncube said.
The men appeared in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on 21 November 2022, on charges of pointing a firearm and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
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