Thato Chwaane
25 March 2008
The Botswana Centre for Human Rights - Ditshwanelo - is still pursuing the case of a pupil who developed headaches and dizzy spells after alleged punishment by a teacher. It is said that Thato Basimanyana, now 13 was beaten with the buckle of a belt for a spelling mistake at Polokwe Primary School.
The Ditshwanelo Children's Rights programme coordinator, Emily Ruhukwa said on Friday that when Thato and her mother Mmapula came in, they referred the child to medical specialists to determine what kind of damage she has suffered in order to put a case together.
She said that the doctors revealed that the pupil had no physical injuries that can be attributed to the beating though she had signs of emotional trauma.
She said they then referred her to a psychiatrist who has been seeing her since October last year.
Ruhukwa said they are still awaiting a report from the psychiatrist to determine what course of action to take. She said a Kgotla hearing in Moshupa was held in September, but that the court is awaiting the doctors' report.
The pupils mother, Mmapula said they have been coming to Gaborone for check up and her daughter has been put on medication, which helps with the headaches. However, she can only hear in one ear. She said she wants her daughter to heal fast because coming to Gaborone every month disrupts her classes. "She is in Standard Seven now," Mmapula said.
She would like Thato to do her junior secondary school in Kanye next year, so that she can keep a close eye on her. Thato currently stays with her grandmother in Polokwe. Mmapula said that the teacher in question has been transferred to another school.
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