The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) expressed shock and dismay over an incident at a school in Delft where a learner was dropped head-first into a toilet full of faeces.
The learner started his first day at Leiden High School on 29 January after being placed there by the WCED. “Little did we know that just one day later, on Friday the 31th, he would be subjected to the most harrowing and degrading experience of his young life,” said the mother of the learner.
“I am a devastated parent, utterly heartbroken by the unimaginable ordeal my son, Sibabalwe Saul* (pseudonym), has been subjected to at Leiden High School. I feel betrayed by the system that was meant to protect him, and I implore you to amplify our call for justice, accountability and urgent intervention.
“Sibabalwe* went to the bathroom, only to be ambushed by four Grade 12 learners. They forced him into a toilet cubicle where, with no regard for his humanity or dignity, they shoved his face into a toilet bowl filled with human waste. One of the perpetrators went as far as to apply the faeces to Sibabalwe’s face using a plastic bag. They left him there, humiliated and traumatised, before running off to blend in with the other students outside. When Lwanda’s teacher was informed she responded as best she could, but the situation was beyond help. I was notified shortly after, and when I arrived at the school I found my son sitting alone, outside the staff room, covered in faeces. He was not cleaned up, not comforted, nothing. Other students were taking photos of him in this shameful state. It was only after I brought him fresh clothes that he was allowed to use the staff room to attempt to clean himself. At no point did the principal step in to offer support or even speak to me as a parent.”
The mother said the damage to her son’s psyche is already done, and the disturbing images of Sibabalwe* in that toilet continue to circulate among his peers. “His dignity, his privacy, his right to an education, everything has been violated. As a family we are desperate for answers. We demand to know who these four learners are, and we insist they be held accountable for their actions. The school must take responsibility for allowing such an atrocity to occur under its watch. We also call on the WCED to transfer Lwanda to another school immediately. He is too traumatised to return to the very institution that allowed this to occur.
“We are requesting immediate psychological counselling for our son and, above all, we demand that his human rights be fully restored. This has been a violation of everything we believe in, and we will not stand by while our child suffers in silence. We cry out for help, for justice and for the dignity of all children who deserve to be safe in their school environment. We hope that through your publication others will hear our voice and join us in holding those responsible accountable.”
The WCED, through spokesperson Bronagh Hammond, said in terms of policy an investigation by the SGB is currently underway. “The School Governing Body will convene to determine the disciplinary process going forward. The alleged perpetrators were absent from school today, but will face disciplinary action. The victim’s mother has been contacted and psychological support has been arranged to counsel the victim. We have also obtained consent for a transfer to another school and are assisting with this process. These allegations are serious and concerning. No learner should be subjected to such abuse.”
Hammond says it is extremely disappointing that so many learners were allegedly involved in the incident. “The WCED will continue to monitor the process going forward and provide the relevant support to the victim. This incident is a reminder to all parents to have continuous engagements with their children on values and positive behaviour.”
*A pseudonym has been used to protect the identity of the child.
