Father says he will pursue justice after pupil left with bruises
A Pinetown father has laid a criminal charge after his son, a learner at Pinetown Boys’ High School, was allegedly struck with a computer cable by a teacher during a call-out on 18 September. The father, Hasler Gray, told the Highway Mail he discovered bruising on his son later that day and subsequently opened a case of assault at Pinetown SAPS on 20 September.
According to Gray, his son initially did not disclose the incident. When questioned after he was seen with marks on his back while showering, the learner said the teacher returned to class after stepping out and then struck him and two other boys. Gray said the pupil described the disturbance as “boys being boys” and that one classmate had thrown his son’s bag to the front of the classroom shortly before the teacher returned.
“My son and I don’t talk much when he gets home, so he did not tell about the incident… I only saw the bruises later on the day when he was taking a shower,” Gray said.
Gray said he visited the school following the discovery of the marks but found the principal busy because it was exam season. He said the principal expressed shock at the allegation and informed him the teacher had been appointed by the provincial Department of Education rather than the school’s governing body, and that the complaint would be forwarded to the department.
What is known so far
- Date of alleged incident: 18 September.
- Date father opened a criminal case at Pinetown SAPS: 20 September.
- School involved: Pinetown Boys’ High School.
- Parent who opened case: Hasler Gray.
- Allegation: teacher struck three learners with a computer cable; two marks observed on the learner’s back.
| Event | Date | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Alleged corporal punishment incident | 18 September | Pupil allegedly struck in class |
| Case opened at Pinetown SAPS | 20 September | Assault case registered by father |
| School response | After 20 September | Principal to forward complaint to Department of Education |
Corporal punishment has been prohibited in South African schools for many years, and Gray said he would not be among parents who “sit back and do nothing”. He told the Highway Mail he wants the matter dealt with appropriately, and emphasised that the conduct he described was unacceptable.
The principal’s reported response — that the teacher was appointed by the Department of Education and that the complaint would be forwarded — indicates the case may involve provincial education authorities. At the time of the original report no disciplinary outcome had been announced and no departmental statement on the matter was included in the published account.
Local implications and context
Allegations of physical punishment at schools reverberate through communities, especially during exam periods when tensions may be higher and staffing pressures greater. Parents who spoke to local media in separate reports in recent years have raised concerns about accountability, the oversight of educators appointed externally to school governing bodies, and the mechanisms available to pupils and families to seek redress.
What happens next in this case will be important for the school community in Pinetown. If the departmental process is activated, the provincial education authority will be expected to investigate the allegation and consider disciplinary or remedial action where appropriate. Separately, the criminal investigation at Pinetown SAPS will follow its own procedures.
For now, Gray said he intends to pursue the matter through both criminal and departmental channels. The case highlights continuing sensitivities around discipline in schools and the responsibilities of educators, parents and provincial authorities to ensure learner safety.
WE NEWS will seek updates from the KwaZulu‑Natal Department of Education, Pinetown Boys’ High School and SAPS as further information becomes available and will publish any official responses to the allegations.
