Mother seeks justice eight years after alleged assault on daughter at Tshwane school

A Soshanguve mother is seeking justice eight years after her daughter allegedly suffered serious head injuries at the hands of a teacher at Bokamoso Primary School. The girl, now 14, requires specialised education and ongoing medical treatment following the incident. A criminal case was opened against the teacher, who is now retired, but has been delayed due to various legal issues.

The teen recently testified in court against her former teacher, who now faces a charge of assault on a minor. Her mother believes the alleged assault has had a profound impact on her daughter's life, causing developmental difficulties and requiring special education and medical care. The mother, who wishes to protect her daughter's identity, says the incident left her daughter with red eyes, dizziness, and visible injuries.

Despite receiving medical treatment from various hospitals, the case has been delayed for years due to lack of evidence and the teacher's retirement. The mother approached AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit in January 2023 to reinstate the criminal case, but so far, the Gauteng Department of Education has not found any record of the alleged incident.