Rohgan Mane lost five teeth after a fellow learner allegedly smashed a garbage can on his head.
|||Cape Town - A schoolboy has lost five teeth after a fellow learner allegedly smashed a garbage can on his head.
The Grade 8 learner’s mother said that she was angered because the school did not inform her of the attack and that her son had been taken to hospital.
And while cops are investigating claims of assault, the department of education said it is all an unfortunate accident.
Rohgan Mane, 13, was left in pain after the impact knocked loose five of his teeth, which later had to be extracted.
The Hawston High School learner says he was listening to music with a group of friends when the bin fell on him from a balcony on Tuesday.
His mom Gloria Mane, 35, claimed the school did not tell her of the incident and she learnt about it from a relative.
The caretaker took Rohgan to a nearby clinic before he was taken by ambulance to the Hermanus Hospital where Gloria found him.
“I almost collapsed when I saw my child,” said the traumatised mother.
“He was covered in blood, his mouth was swollen and his gums were torn.
“I could have lost him… he is my only child.”
Police spokesman Colonel Tembikosi Kinana said that they are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“The suspect, who is known to the complainant and who is a learner at the same school, has not been arrested because the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape Department of Education spokesman Paddy Atwell added: “At this stage it looks as if it was an accident.
“According to the girl who handled the bin, she let it fall while she was trying to pick it up from a wall alongside the stairs.”
He adds that the school has made contact with Gloria to have a meeting to discuss any further issues.
“Our district office will advise the school on further steps, if they are required pending the outcome of the meeting.”
Daily Voice