Pupils allegedly pay with goats

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THE Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal calls on the MEC for Education, Peggy Nkonyeni, to urgently investigate claims that Mnyakanya High School (Nkandla) pupils were forced by the school principal and local Inkosi to pay goats as punishment at school.

IFP KZN Education Spokesperson, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said, ‘It has been reported that last month a fight broke out between pupils after school, which resulted in the principal instructing the pupils and their parents to pay goats or R1 000 to the Inkosi of the KwaNxamala clan if they wanted to return to school.

KaMadlopha-Mthethwa said, ‘They also demanded proof of payment.

‘This is against the law and an urgent investigation is necessary because it has been alleged that even the School Governing Body is aware of this matter.

‘It has been further alleged that Amakhosi are also involved in these disciplinary processes.’

IFP respects Inkosi

She said that although the IFP respects the role played by Amakhosi in the community, the party believes that they must not interfere in taking decisions when it comes to disciplinary matters, even if the schools are in their areas.

KaMadlopha-Mthethwa said that the investigation must be extended into the relationship between Inkosi and the school principal.

She said, ‘We urge schools to ensure that tried and tested punishments, such as detention, remain appropriate responses to bad behaviour.’