Bullies are big business
2002-11-08 08:12
Pietermaritzburg - Schoolboy fights are becoming big legal business - as proven by Maritzburg College's decision to appoint a senior attorney to sort out squabbles in "mini criminal trials" for which pupils arrive, often armed with their parents' personal attorneys. One on Thursday even had an advocate.
Pro forma prosecutor Petrus Coetzee said he has been instructed as "an outsider - I'm not an old boy" - to help the school handle these issues objectively.
One of the incidents he is dealing with is an assault of a black pupil by white boys - an incident that made headlines in The Natal Witness when about 15 pupils, in support of both combatants, climbed into each other with fists and feet.
After listening to several "witnesses" the school was advised to "prosecute" three white boys, who then pleaded "not guilty". Representations have been made by the "defence" and judgment will soon be delivered.
Racial brawl
In a "racial brawl" on the same day, a black pupil was charged with two counts of assault on two white boys in Alexandra Park. He pleaded guilty but Coetzee advised the school to call in witnesses, who testified on Thursday.
In another case - this time with no racial overtones - a grade 11 pupil was allegedly chased "like a jack rabbit" by a group of "bored boys" who cornered him, tackled him and kicked him. The "court" decided to prosecute eight boys. Six of the boys pleaded guilty, while charges were withdrawn against the other two on Thursday afternoon.
Not everybody agrees with the school's mini-courts for what they describe as "normal schoolboys' activities".
"In the end it's the parents who are footing the bill for these legal costs, as the school fees keep increasing," one parent said.
No more 'six of the best'
Defending the school's decision, another parent pointed out that the days of "six of the best" for all parties, guilty or not guilty, are over. "When a child arrives at home beaten black and blue, his parents want action taken. The parents who have brought in their attorneys are to blame because they are forcing principals to get professional help."
Coetzee said schools often don't have the expertise and time to prove pupils guilty. "Witnesses need to be called in and a legal person should ensure a fair trial. However, as the school does not want to create an imbalance, pupils are also allowed to have legal representation."