A 14-year-old student at Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) was hospitalised and underwent surgery after he was allegedly physically assaulted by a fellow student of the same age.
The incident took place on school premises on 28 October, after an altercation during a pre-class soccer game, according to the victim’s cousin, who requested to remain anonymous to protect the identity of the victim. The student, who cannot be identified as he is a minor, was allegedly knocked unconscious by the perpetrator, and then beaten further while unconscious, she claimed.
The entrance of Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) in Stellenbosch. A 14-year-old student at PRG was recently hospitalised after he was allegedly physically assaulted by a fellow student of the same age. PHOTO: Wessel Krige
“He knocked him out with one punch. He was unconscious, and the boy was still beating [my cousin] while he was unconscious,” the cousin claimed via WhatsApp correspondence with MatieMedia.
Karien Winter, head of marketing and fund development at PRG, confirmed that the incident took place, and that they are investigating the matter. The school is also in contact with the families of the students involved, she added.
“The school is well-positioned with known infrastructure to support learners, and we are in contact with the parents and learners affected by the incident,” said Winter in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
The victim sustained multiple facial injuries, including a broken jawbone and nose, according to a statement sent to MatieMedia by the victim’s aunt, who also requested to remain anonymous to protect the identity of the victim. His left eye socket and cheekbone were also crushed, she said.
The victim was rushed to hospital and underwent facial reconstructive surgery that same day, in order to have his jawbone, nose and eye socket reconstructed, according to his aunt. The victim was placed on a fluid diet for the first week after the incident. He currently needs assistance to walk and is unable to speak, said his aunt. It has been advised that he has further surgery done at the age of 16, to compensate for adult facial development, she added.
The victim of an alleged physical assault that occurred at Paul Roos Gymnasium on 28 October is due to begin trauma counselling as soon as he is able to speak, according to a statement sent to MatieMedia by the victim’s aunt. PHOTO: Wessel Krige
“Our hearts are broken for our baby,” said the victim’s cousin. “How do you justify doing that to a 14-year-old kid at school?” she added.
The family expects the school to suspend the perpetrator immediately, and hopes that the school will support the victim’s brother, according to the aunt’s statement. The brother was writing a matric exam on the day the incident took place, and was “traumatised severely” by the incident, she said.
“At Paul Roos Gymnasium we hold learners accountable to the highest standard of appropriate conduct with underlying core values as set out in our code of conduct based on pride in the school, mutual respect and gentlemanship,” said Winter.
A soccer field at Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG). A student at PRG was allegedly physically assaulted on school premises on 28 October, after an altercation during a pre-class soccer game. This was according to the victim’s cousin. PHOTO: Wessel Krige