Local News
Grey College pupil may return, but 'without bodyguard'─── 10:44 Mon, 22 Oct 2018
After showing up at school with a bodyguard last Monday to protect himself from being bullied, a 16-year-old Grade 10 pupil at Grey College in Bloemfontein will now complete his studies at home, Rapport reported on Sunday.
According to the Sunday paper, the boy's mother and the school came to this agreement because his safety is of concern.
This follows two incidents - one in March and another on October 12. In the first incident, his head was bashed against a wall and he was hit against his ear, causing damage to his eardrum.
On that Friday, the boy was allegedly kicked and rugby balls were thrown at him.
Last Monday, Netwerk24 reported that the boy was sent home within 15 minutes of showing up to school with the bodyguard.
The online publication reported that the school's principal, Deon Scheepers, told the boy's mother that the boy was welcome to return to the school, but without the bodyguard.
The boy's mother told Netwerk24 that, during the alleged attack, he and his family were sworn at by Grade 11 pupils, using the Afrikaans slur p**s and telling him: "You must leave this f*cking school."
In a letter published by Volksblad newspaper, a Grade 10 pupil at the school wrote that the boy was assaulted because of his disregard of the school's traditions.
"We don't bully one another, but we sort one another out," the boy wrote.
"He should have seen it coming."
According to Rapport, the boy walked on a piece of lawn reserved for senior pupils.