The Free State Department of Education has demanded that a bus driver who was seen on camera punching and kicking a Hanover Farm School Grade 12 student be permanently excluded from working with children.
It is unclear where the incident occurred, although it occurred on January 30 and the school is located near Bultfontein in the Lejweleputswa District.
Dr. Tata Makgoe, the MEC for the Department of Education in the Free State, has since criticized the occurrence.
In video footage that have been widely shared on various social media platforms, the 56-year-old scholar transport bus driver can be seen physically abusing a 17-year-old learner by kicking him in the stomach and punching and striking him on the bus.
Makgoe stated that he is utterly repulsed by the physical and emotional torture of this student and those who observed it.
“This man must be permanently prohibited from working with our children. We have instructed the owner of the vehicle to immediately suspend the driver,” Makgoe continued.
The Free State Department of Education has notified the Department of Social Development, which is responsible for administering the Children’s Act.
“As required by section 38 of the Children’s Act of 2005, the Department of Social Department will take additional efforts to guarantee that children are protected from further abuse by this perpetrator. “The police are also conducting an investigation,” said spokesman Howard Ndaba.
A teacher at Wessel Maree Secondary School in Odendaalsrus, in the same province, was immediately suspended in 2022 when a social media video showed him forcefully pushing a student.
VIDEO: A white instructor assaults a black student at Wessel Maree Secondary School in Odendaalsrus, Free State Monday, according to COSAS, the Organization will protest the school to demand the teacher’s immediate dismissal. pic.twitter.com/nSQ8JDZXL1
— Lebo 🕢 (@LebohangBokako) March 5, 2022
“An investigation has been begun on this regrettable incident. At this time, we do not have complete information regarding the occurrence. Once concluded, the investigation will offer more light on what transpired. MEC Makgoe stated at the time that the department will be able to make a well-informed conclusion based on the data available.
»Free State bus driver captured on camera punching and kicking a student«