Male model beaten up at school

2008-03-12 23:37

Amanda Roestoff

Johannesburg - A part-time model and Grade-10 pupil at Florida High School had to have two operations after his nose had been broken in two places in an assault at school.

Shaun Erasmus, 15, also had to receive seven stitches on an open wound in his mouth.

His mother, Ansie, 37, said on Wednesday that the family was upset because they had not had any reaction from the police, nor the school.

Shaun had surgery in Mulbarton Hospital in southern Johannesburg after he had been hit by a matric pupil during school on March 5.

Shaun won the Mr Florida title in July 2006 and did part-time modelling and advertising work for Chrone Talents.

'Happy-clappy' game

The Erasmus family suspected that the brawl had been planned and apparently was part of a "happy-clappy" game wherein pupils were encouraged to make cellphone videos of fights and send them to a television programme.

Ansie asked: "How else could a boy have been standing right there focusing on the two when the older boy began punching him?"

The family was worried because the recording was being sent around the school "as a joke" and already had reached other high schools on the West Rand as far afield as Randfontein.

The video showed how the burly matric pupil approached Shaun and talked to him while the cellphone camera focused on the two boys as if "they were waiting for it".

Suddenly, the older boy pulled back his arm and clobbered Shaun across his cheekbone.

Shaun staggered backwards and moved away from the older boy while he charged and punched Shaun again, before a member of the student council with a red blazer stepped in and stood between the two.

Ansie said she rushed to the school when her eldest daughter, Azelle, 17, a Grade-11 pupil at the same school and also a part-time model, saw her brother being attacked.

'My son is not a fighter'

Shaun and his attacker reported to André Underhay, the vice-principal, who later told Ansie that she should report the matter to the police.

An assault docket was opened at Sophiatown district police station and the docket was transferred to the Florida station.

Ansie said: "My son is not popular at school and is an introvert.

"He doesn't make friends easily and is not a fighter. For me, it's about justice prevailing.

Ansie said that this could happen to another child.

"As a parent, I want to know what the school will do to ensure his safety during school hours."

Principal Marthinus Schutte said he disapproved vehemently of the fight.

He said disciplinary steps had not been taken yet against the attacker because certain reports still were outstanding.

"The boys from this school are taught that fist fights are not a solution for arguments."

"The school cannot accept responsibility for what pupils are taught at home ...

"Sometimes, there are pupils that do not behave in a proper manner," said Schutte.

Waiting for statements

He said discipline was under pressure in all schools and that it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain order.

"The school simply reflects the behaviour of society, which is becoming increasingly worse."

Inspector Karen Jacobs said that the investigator of the case was on sick leave and that witness and warning statements were outstanding.

As soon as they had this information, the docket would be put before the senior state prosecutor at Roodepoort Magistrate's Court for a decision.

- Beeld