KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Senzo Mchunu warned teachers who used corporal punishment that they could lose their jobs.
|||KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Senzo Mchunu warned teachers who used corporal punishment to discipline pupils that they could lose their jobs.
“We would like to send a stern warning against those among us who still practice corporal punishment. As a department we view it as serious defiance, a serious offence that can lead to the termination of employment,” MEC Senzo Mchunu said on Tuesday.
He said if there were financial implications, teachers who were found guilty would have to reimburse the department.
Mchunu lost an appeal against a man who suffered an eye injury at Gcwalulwazi High School near Eshowe nine years ago, the Witness online reported on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court of Appeal rejected Mchunu's appeal with costs on Friday.
Simphiwe Shange, aged 15 at the time, was hit in the eye by a belt buckle while the deputy principal allegedly hit another pupil with the belt.
Shange was told his injury was “a mistake” and accepted this for three years until he was encouraged to contact the Public Protector.
The court noted that adults had failed Shange and that there was a strong case for him to proceed with legal action against Mchunu.
“We respect the court ruling and we do not intend to challenge it,” Mchunu said. - Sapa