Children at the Malkerns Juvenile Industrial School were
systematically assaulted for more than five hours by correctional service
officers.
Some of the children were forced to strip naked for
beatings by the officers who used belts, sneakers, open hands and feet to assault
them all over their bodies.
The Swazi News newspaper reported that 15 officers were
involved and more than two thirds of the 430 pupils at the school were assaulted
from 8.30 am until after 2.00 pm, during a day last week.
One child interviewed by the newspaper said, ‘They were
using belts, open hands and an All-Star (sneaker). We were ordered to strip
naked before being assaulted all over the body, indiscriminately.’
The attack was also described by another as being worse than police torture known as ‘lishubhu’.
Another said, ‘Besi bulawa (we were being murdered).’
When asked why they were assaulted, one pupil responded, ‘Watsi
lomunye thishela basi faka luvalo (one of the teachers told us that they were
instilling fear).’
The pupils said they did not report the matter to the police because they feared being victimised.
Pupils at the school include juvenile offenders and children
who live near nearby.
Correctional Services Commissioner Mzuthini Ntshangase told
the newspaper, ‘Thina besicala ukube thusa (It was the first time we used
corporal punishment).’ He said the officers only used a stick to deliver corporal
punishment.
See also
KIDS WHO COMMIT NO CRIME LOCKED UP
BOY, 12, JAILED FOR INSULTING GRANNY
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