This is according to the spokesperson of the Northern Cape Department, Lehuma Ntuane, who told OFM News that details surrounding the incident earlier this month are sketchy at this point, however, he is aware that the parents of the victim have laid a criminal case of common assault against the suspect.

“We are talking plus or minus 87 learners, grade 8 learners, who went to the camp, so we do not know how many were involved in this thing. We have to take into account that we’ll also have to request them in writing to tell us exactly what happened there,” Ntuane said.

Meanwhile, the provincial spokesperson also revealed that the school has committed to review its annual orientation camp in a bid to curb bullying veiled under orientation. Nthuane said the Department has also appealed to the school and others in the province to take serious measures against bullying. One such measure suggested by the Department to schools in the province is by way of a code of conduct that sets out clear rules against any form of bullying, be it physical, verbal, written and even on cyberspace. The said incident is alleged to have taken place at a resort in Barkly West on 9 January 2019 where the camp was taking place.

Learners at the school have in the past made news for their disorderly conduct, including one incident which took place in November last year, where a video surfaced of a pupil throwing water into the face of a teacher. According to the spokesperson for police in the province, Mohale Ramatseba, no arrests have yet been made. OFM News could not reach the school for comment. This is a developing story.

OFM News