GRADE 7 GIRL STABS BOY INSIDE CLASSROOM, BLAMES BULLYING

BUHLENI – In an incident that has shocked teachers, a pupil at Mcuba Primary School near Buhleni stabbed another in the back.

*Girly, who is said to be about 13 years old, allegedly stabbed *Boy, who is also of the same age. The stabbing is said to have happened inside a classroom yesterday when the pupils returned from break-time. It is alleged that trouble started on Tuesday when Girly called Boy by a nickname he did not like. Boy is said to have retaliated by slapping Girly for calling him by the nickname.

Slapping

The girl is said to have reported the slapping incident after which Boy was punished for it. It is alleged that Boy was given three strokes for slapping Girly. However, Girly is said to have been unhappy with this punishment. She is alleged to have complained that the punishment was mild and that Boy should have been given 15 strokes at least. On the following day, Girly is said to have arrived at school with a knife from her home. During break-time yesterday, the pupils had their meals, but when they returned to class, just before the teacher arrived in the classroom, Girly is said to have produced the knife and allegedly  stabbed Boy in the back. Girly is said to have blamed her act on bullying, adding that despite her reporting the incident and other similar one in the past, Boy was not punished. However, this publication gathered that Boy had been punished using corporal punishment.

After the stabbing, Boy was rushed to Mkhuzweni Health Centre, which is near the school. He is said to have been treated and discharged from the hospital on the same day. It was gathered that the kitchen knife that the girl used was seemingly blunt. The matter was also reported at Buhleni Police Post where Girly was also taken. It was gathered that the girl was taken to the police with her parents and that the boy’s parent was also present. Some of the parents blamed the incident on the lack of corporal punishment, adding that pupils were now free to do anything without the fear of being punished. They said the school did not promote corporal punishment except in serious instances.

Police

The school’s deputy head teacher, whose name could not be easily ascertained, confirmed the incident, but added that the matter was being handled by the police. When asked about corporal punishment, she said the school had not completely abandoned it, but that it was used in some instances as suggested by the parents. Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed the incident. She said the police were still working on the matter as the victim had just returned from the hospital.
*Pseudonyms used to protect minors

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