Mother says school failed to inform her after deaf learner allegedly assaulted

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – The mother of an 18-year-old learner allegedly assaulted by a staff member at Thiboloha School for the Deaf and Blind says she was left in the dark about the incident and only learned the full extent of her daughter’s injuries through a social worker.

The case, which has sparked outrage due to the learner’s vulnerability and the school’s responsibility to protect children with special needs, was heard in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where the accused employee made her first appearance on a charge of assault.

The accused, represented by attorney Mr Erasmus, was granted bail of R1 000. The State did not oppose bail, noting that there was no domestic relationship between the accused and the complainant.

The matter was postponed to 30 July 2026 for further investigation.

The criminal proceedings stem from an incident allegedly involving the learner on 2 June at the specialised school, prompting both a police investigation and an internal probe by the Free State Department of Education.

Speaking to The Guard after the court proceedings, the learner’s mother, Selina Masonto Mkwanazi, described her devastation upon discovering what had allegedly happened to her daughter.

“I was called by a social worker early in the morning. She told me she was disappointed about what had happened to my daughter,” said Mkwanazi.

According to her, the learner later revealed that she had been physically assaulted after being accused of stealing a purse.

“When I asked my daughter what happened, she told me that the teacher beat her and accused her of stealing her purse. My daughter had severe bruises. It broke my heart to hear her tell the police that she had never been beaten like that before,” she said.

Mkwanazi said her greatest concern is what she views as the school’s failure to immediately inform her about the incident and her daughter’s medical treatment.

“The school never contacted me about my child’s wellbeing. They took her to the clinic after the incident, but nobody informed me about what had happened. I only found out through the social worker the next day,” she said.

She said the school’s principal later informed her that she had the right to pursue criminal action.

“The principal told me that opening a case was my right. I decided to do so because I wanted justice for my daughter,” she said.

The case has drawn widespread public concern because it involves a learner attending a specialised institution established to care for and protect children living with disabilities and special educational needs.

The Free State Department of Education has confirmed that disciplinary action against the employee has already commenced. The matter was referred to the department’s Labour Relations Division through the Circuit Manager’s Office on 4 June.

Department spokesperson Howard Ndaba previously told The Guard that preliminary reports indicated the incident was witnessed by two house parents and a teacher.

Statements have reportedly been obtained from the witnesses, while a medical assessment conducted at the school’s clinic forms part of the ongoing investigation.

Following the incident, Free State MEC for Education Dr Julia Maboya condemned the alleged assault in the strongest terms.

“I am outraged and profoundly distressed by allegations of violence against one of our most vulnerable learners. Thiboloha School exists to protect, nurture and educate children with special needs, not to harm them,” Maboya said.

The department further confirmed that the learner received medical treatment and that psychosocial support services were activated.

As investigations continue, questions remain over how the incident was handled and why the learner’s mother says she was not immediately informed.

Both the South African Police Service and the Department of Education are continuing their investigations. The accused is expected to return to court on 30 July.