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News24 reports that the mother of a former Sans Souci Girls' High School pupil slapped by her Afrikaans teacher during a physical altercation has lodged a claim in the Equality Court for damages amounting to R150,000.
A statement issued by lawyer William Booth representing teacher Clarissa Venter confirmed that his office had filed opposing papers objecting to the claim. "[The mother of the pupil] has also claimed that our client allegedly assaulted [the pupil] due to her daughter being of a different race and cultural background," he said. The incident was "clearly" not a result of racism or cultural discrimination on the part of Venter, Booth maintained. He went on to say: "This appears to be nothing more than a vexatious attempt to obtain financial gain as a result of an incident which was in fact instigated by [the pupil's] lack of discipline, unruly behaviour and extreme provocative conduct." Venter will reportedly return to work in the second term, after the school governing body ratified a decision that she should receive a fine, final warning and anger management sessions. Last month, the pupil's mother removed her teenage daughter from the school. Both the pupil and the teacher have laid assault charges against each other. The pupil's matter is being held in camera as she is a minor. Venter will return to the dock at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on 18 April.
- Read the full original of Tammy Petersen’s report on this story at News24
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