Grade 9 pupil hospitalised after alleged teacher assault in Tembisa

A 15-year-old faces possible permanent hand injury after reportedly being whipped for incomplete schoolwork.

A grade 9 pupil at Tembisa West Secondary School in Ekurhuleni was admitted to hospital on 9 March with a hand injury that doctors say may result in permanent loss of function.¹ The 15-year-old was among several pupils allegedly physically assaulted by a teacher for not completing an isiZulu assignment.¹

The alleged assault occurred days before the pupil's hospitalisation.¹ According to her aunt, the pupil complained of hand pain after the incident and the family confronted the teacher, who apologised.¹ The pupil was initially taken to a clinic, and the school later arranged for her to see a doctor.¹

Despite medical attention, the pupil's condition deteriorated.¹ The doctors said the injury could prevent her from using her hand again. She is also receiving psychological support because she is traumatised and says she does not want to go back to school, the aunt told Sowetan.¹ The pupil allegedly reported that the teacher continued to taunt her following the incident and requested she be moved to another class.¹

On 9 March, the pupil did not return home from school.¹ Her family received a call from Tembisa Hospital informing them she had admitted herself due to pain.¹ Medical staff diagnosed a severe hand injury affecting nerves, with doctors indicating she may not regain full use of her left hand.¹ The pupil underwent surgery on Monday and remained under medical care.¹