A school principal and an assistant teacher at Gumzana High School in Mbizana are behind bars in separate cases linked to alleged corporal punishment of learners.
Assistant teacher Sdumo appeared in the Mbizana Magistrate’s Court in June after allegedly assaulting a Grade 12 learner with a pipe in March 2026. The learner reportedly sustained a serious injury to his hand.
According to reports, the injury was so severe that a doctor concluded that the learner’s hand would no longer function and recommended that it be amputated.
The matter allegedly went unreported for several months. It is alleged that following the incident, school principal Mzingisi Qalashe called a School Governing Body member, the affected learners, other teachers and Sdumo to a meeting, where he instructed them not to report the matter to the police.
The principal allegedly knew at the time that he was facing suspension by the Department of Education for allegedly administering corporal punishment to other learners.
The matter eventually came to the attention of authorities in June, approximately three months after the alleged assault. Circuit managers reportedly reported the matter to the police, leading to an investigation and the subsequent arrest of Sdumo.
Sdumo has been denied bail and remains in custody while the case continues.
Qalashe was arrested on Thursday last week and appeared in the Mbizana court on Friday. He is facing charges related to defeating or obstructing the ends of justice and allegedly failing to report a crime.
His case was postponed to Wednesday for a formal bail application.
The allegations against both men have yet to be tested in court, and they remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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