A 16-year-old KwaZulu-Natal schoolboy has died after allegedly being beaten by his principal, police said on Tuesday. Mthokozisi Zuma, a grade 10 pupil at Phezulu High School in Hammarsdale, was beaten with a stick, allegedly by his principal as punishment for coming late to school, according to Mpumalanga township police.
The boy was taken to a nearby clinic where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
”To beat a child in school in this country is a serious crime and considered as child abuse,” said education MEC Ina Cronje. She added that the principal had to face the law. The principal was arrested and charged with murder, said police, and was suspended from his post indefinitely. – Sapa