Eastern Cape Department of Education corporal punishment as a disciplinary method. This follows a disturbing incident involving a teacher from Zamokuhle Junior Secondary School in Matatiele, who is facing criminal charges after allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old learner with a hosepipe.
Despite corporal punishment being outlawed in South Africa since 1996 and prohibited under the South African Schools Act, reports of its continued use persist, especially in some under-resourced schools in rural areas such as the Eastern Cape.
On 19 May, a Grade 6 learner returned home with dark bruises on his buttocks, prompting immediate concern from his mother. She told GroundUp, on condition of anonymity, that her son had been physically assaulted by a teacher for being late to class after lunch.
Eastern Cape Education Department Condemns Corporal Punishment
“He hit my classmate three times on the hand. The second classmate was beaten three times on the buttocks. The third was hit seven times. I stopped counting at eight when it was my turn,” the boy recounted.
The accused teacher has since apologised to the family, but legal proceedings are ongoing. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, the teacher will appear before the Maluti Magistrates Court on 25 June, facing charges related to the use of corporal punishment.
Although the mother expressed compassion for the teacher’s situation, stating, “I don’t want him to lose his job,” she remains firm in seeking accountability for the harm caused to her child.
She stressed that teachers are expected to uphold learners’ rights and maintain discipline through lawful and constructive means.
According to Equal Education Law Centre Attorney, Ebrahiem Daniels, incidents like the one in Matatiele are unfortunately not isolated. “We receive reports of corporal punishment from schools across South Africa, including many in the Eastern Cape,
Daniels emphasized that research shows corporal punishment is not only ineffective but also detrimental to learners’ mental and emotional development. “It increases aggression, encourages anti-social behavior, and can cause long-term emotional trauma. More importantly, it sends a dangerous message—that violence is a solution.”
The incident has reignited public debate around school discipline and teacher accountability in the Eastern Cape. While the province continues to grapple with challenges in infrastructure, teacher shortages, and underfunding, stakeholders say that violence in schools—whether from students or teachers—should never be tolerated.
Experts are calling for intensified efforts to train educators on positive discipline methods, including restorative practices and behavior support systems. There is also a growing push for the Eastern Cape Department of Education to improve oversight and establish safe reporting channels for learners and parents.
Source- EWN
