It was in October last year, at about eight in the morning. Every teacher was in his or her classroom, putting learners through their paces.
I was teaching, energised by the fine spring weather when a learner came to inform me that our principal, Allen Rowe, had been arrested. “Arrested for what?” I asked.
Obviously the poor child could not answer me. I rushed to the staff room where my colleagues had converged to find out what was going on.
No one knew. We later learned that a parent of one of the learners had laid a charge against Rowe at a local police station, claiming that he had used a “barrage of fists” on her young boy.
We knew the boy was troublesome and had serious problems with discipline. But we also knew that no matter how angry Rowe might have been, there was no way he could have used physical force to deal with the boy.
But I was particularly riled by the seemingly high-handed manner in which the police arrested Rowe. They did not have the decency to inquire before they handcuffed him and shoved him into the back of the van.
On his arrival at the police station Rowe was locked up in a crammed and dingy cell with common and hardened criminals. The louts in the cell pounced on him and nearly raped him. It was a shocking and disgusting experience.
We got a lawyer to represent Rowe so that bail could be arranged before it was too late. We wanted to get him out of jail before sunset. The deputy principal organised a lawyer and Rowe was let out on bail of R1 000. By 4pm Rowe was a free man, but he was angry and shaken.
Although we continued to work that day, the atmosphere at school was poisoned. The entire day was almost wasted because we were in no mood to teach. I believe that if Rowe had beaten the child – something we doubt – the parent should have reported the matter to the relevant school authorities.
The last time I heard, the matter was being handled by the National Prosecuting Authority, to determine if the principal has a case to answer or not. We are waiting for the outcome with anticipation.
But I believe the police should have investigated the allegation before they arrested Rowe.
I agree that parents and learners have the right to lay charges if their rights are infringed, but I believe this incident could have been resolved differently. I am scared to talk to or discipline learners now. Who knows, I too could be arrested and I may not be lucky enough to get bailed out.
Matumelo Misha teaches grade two at Parktown public primary school in Johannesburg