Notes to Editors:
• Please find soundbites by Sakhile Mngadi, MPL in English and isiZulu
• The names of the victims have been withheld due to their ages
• The names of SAPS officers have been withheld pending a formal investigation
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has called for several high-level investigations following shock claims that a matric learner at Mandla Mthethwa School of Excellence in Ndumo – in uMkhanyakude District north of the province – was assaulted by a school principal and several SAPS officers, one of whom was reportedly intoxicated.
This inexcusable act of violence has had a devastating impact on the learner, who suffered severe emotional and physical trauma, ultimately leading to him failing his 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric examinations.
According to a written affidavit by the learner’s mother, Mrs C N Mkhize, she received a call from the school principal on 18 November 2024, informing her that her son had been suspended and needed to be collected. Unable to do so immediately due to family obligations, Mrs Mkhize later learned that her son and other learners were woken up at 2am, forced to do push-ups and then subjected to a brutal assault by the principal and three SAPS officers.
According to the affidavit, the officers – who included an allegedly intoxicated male officer – used open hands, booted feet and a firearm to physically assault the learners.
The male police officer then allegedly took a learner (Mrs Mkhize’s son) outside for further beatings before forcing him to admit to misconduct. The same learner was then reportedly beaten again with the firearm in the presence of the school principal, the other two officers, and school staff. Witnesses confirm that the two female officers also participated in the assault, kicking the learners until they admitted to wrongdoing.
As a result of this ordeal, the learner suffered severe back pain and sought medical attention, but was unable to receive proper treatment due to financial constraints. Mrs Mkhize further states that the trauma from this incident left her son emotionally and psychologically distressed, ultimately affecting his ability to complete his exams successfully. To this day, he remains fearful of engaging with law enforcement.
The DA is deeply disturbed by these claims and strongly condemns such horrific conduct. If these actions are found to be true, they constitute gross misconduct and multiple violations of South African law, including but not limited to:
• The South African Schools Act, 84 of 1996 – Section 10 explicitly prohibits corporal punishment in schools. The reported physical abuse of learners by the principal is a direct violation of this act
• The Children’s Act, 38 of 2005 – Section 28 states that children have the right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse, or degradation. The assault and psychological harm caused by both school officials and law enforcement officers directly contravene this fundamental right
• The South African Police Service Act, 68 of 1995 – Requires police officers to uphold the law and protect citizens, not abuse them. The reported intoxication and use of excessive force by the officers involved constitute clear violations of this law
• The Code of Conduct for South African Schools – Sets clear guidelines on how discipline should be handled in schools. Forcing learners to confess under duress and subjecting them to physical violence is unlawful and unethical and,
• The Constitution of South Africa, 1996 – Section 12 guarantees the right to an individuals’ freedom and security, which includes protection from violence, torture, and cruel or degrading treatment. The reported abuse is a direct violation of these constitutional rights.
It is clear that an extensive investigation is warranted. In this regard, the DA calls on KZN Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka and his department to ensure an immediate and independent investigation into the alarming allegations.
We further call on the MEC to take decisive action against the implicated school principal and immediately suspend her, pending the outcome of a formal investigation by the DoE. There is voice note evidence of the principal communicating with Mrs Chiliza in an alleged attempt to make this problem go away.
All evidence will be sent to KZN’s DoE, while the DA has already requested that a report be sent to KZN’s Education portfolio committee for evaluation. Communication to this effect has also been sent to MEC Hlomuka for urgent actioning. (view here)
In addition, the DA will call on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to investigate and hold accountable those SAPS officers allegedly involved in the assault. Evidence has been compiled and sent to national Police portfolio committee Chairperson, Ian Cameron, MP (view here). The correspondence has clear instructions that an IPID investigation be opened in connection with all three SAPS officers, with special mention of the allegedly intoxicated male officer.
The DA has further called on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and KZN’s Department of Community Safety and Liaison – under Premier Thami Ntuli – to intervene and assess the psychological impact on the affected learner and launch a provincial probe. This after the Colonel of the Ndumo SAPS visited Mrs Mkhize this past weekend in Durban.
The brutal treatment of learners is unacceptable. Schools must be places of learning and development, not environments of fear and abuse. The DA will not rest until those responsible are held accountable and justice is served.