By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it is deeply shocked by the police’s resurgence of apartheid-era tactics that use corporal punishment on learners in this era of constitutional democracy under the ANC-led government. This comes after two learners from Rakoko Secondary School in Mabeskraal village, outside Rustenburg were admitted in hospital following the assault with intention to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) by the police.
The EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema said based on the information available to them, the police in question were allegedly invited by the school management team to conduct search and seizure. Moema alleged that the learners were assaulted without any reasonable grounds.
“It is deeply disheartening that South Africa is a country with an undeniable history of violence and to date, three decades into democracy, children continue to be at the receiving end of violence, not only at home but also in schools. The increasing number of victims of police brutality show just how the criminal justice systems failed to protect the society’s most vulnerable.
“Undeniably, our society is faced with a rapid moral erosion, but police brutality cannot be a panacea for our social challenges. As the EFF, we condemn the use of corporal punishment in schools and further call for a comprehensive investigation to expose any underlying apartheid tactics by the North West Department of Education and South African Police Services (SAPS), with a particular focus on Rakoko Secondary School,” he said.
Moema further said they will provide necessary support to the affected learners and their families to ensure that the perpetrators do not enjoy any impunity.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The South African Police Service (SAPS) management in the province noted with concern allegations that police officers assaulted learners at Rakoko Secondary School on 13 May 2024. The reports suggest that members conducted a safer school awareness with other stakeholders. Subsequently, some learners were taken to a separate classroom where the alleged assault occurred.
“Consequent to the incident, two counts of assault with the intent to do GBH were registered. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating. The police management does not tolerate unprofessional conduct by its members and would like to urge the public to exercise patience and allow investigations to unfold.”
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