The Free State Department of Education has condemned the alleged assault of an 18-year-old girl learner at Thiboloha School for the Deaf and Blind in QwaQwa, Free State.
According to initial reports received by the department, the incident allegedly occurred on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, between 16:20 and 17:00 and involved a member of staff.
The school confirmed that two house parents on duty and a teacher witnessed the alleged assault. The learner received an immediate medical evaluation at the school clinic.
According to the Department, they acted swiftly and decisively, and referred the matter for investigation to the Labour Relations Division through the Circuit Manager’s Office on Thursday, 4 June 2026.
“All witness statements from the two-house parents and the teacher are being collected and documented, and the school clinic’s medical assessment has been secured to form part of the investigation. The learner’s parent has been fully briefed on her rights, including the right to lay criminal charges with the South African Police Service.” Said the Department.
A criminal case has been opened with the police, and a professional counselling team will be deployed to Thiboloha School to provide trauma counselling and ongoing support to the affected learner upon her return to school.
“I am 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. We will leave no stone unturned. A full investigation is underway, and decisive action will be taken against anyone found responsible. The Free State Department of Education has zero tolerance for any form of violence or abuse in our schools.” Said Mamiki Maboya, the Free State Education MEC.
#BeTheFirstToKnow
TO SUPPORT FREE STATE WORLD NEWSPAPER AND THE WORK WE DO, DONATE TO US ON OUR ACCOUNT NO HERE:
Grace T GROUP
Capitec Bank Account (CAPITEC BUSINESS)
Account number: 1051608058
Account Type: Current Account
Business Branch Code:450105
