Durban – The KwaZulu-Natal High Court has ordered the provincial education department to pay damages of R3.9m to a former pupil accidentally hit by a teacher, the Mercury reported on Monday.

According to the paper, the teacher hit the young boy in the eye with the tip of his belt while he was beating another pupil.

The incident happened 10 years ago when Simphiwe Shange was a Grade 9 pupil at Gcwalulwazi High School in Eshowe.

Shange was left partially blind in his right eye after deputy principal Moses Biyela unbuckled his belt and hit another pupil.

The Mercury reported that Judge Dhaya Pillay ruled that the MEC was liable for the incident and awarded damages of R3.9m plus costs.

The paper reported that the claim included the costs for loss of earnings, future eye operations, special school fees, and general damages.

– SAPA