School bullies arrested over indecent assault

TWO Bulawayo school bullies have been arrested for blindfolding three pupils and shoving sticks into their backs. Their victims had to be rushed to hospital after sustaining anal injuries.

The two boys aged 16 and 15 years, who attend Emganwini Secondary and Nketa Primary schools and cannot be named for legal reasons, were convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira.

They were sentenced to receive five strokes with a rattan cane.

In passing sentence, Dzira blamed the boys' parents for failing to offer parental guidance.

He said that the accused displayed an anti-social behaviour and their actions caused physical and psychological injury to the complainants.

Although the two boys committed a gruesome offence, they could not be sent to jail because of their age and lack of maturity

The court also noted that if incarcerated they would come out of jail as hardcore criminals and become a burden to your parents and the community.

"Corporal punishment will meet the justice of the case and accordingly you'll receive five strokes," ruled the magistrate.

The prosecutor said on July 6 last year, the complainant aged 13 absconded from school with his two friends.

They were playing at Nketa recreational park when they were spotted by their would be attackers.

The bullies took turns to shove sticks into each pupil.

Bullying is a problem in some schools. Bullies must be reported. We must come together to stop bullying in our schools. Play your part and report bullies today. Even if you are not the victim, you must always report bullying to responsible adults like teachers or parents.

Together we can stop this problem right now.