The SA Teacher's Union (SAOU) says it supports the Sans Souci Girls' High School teacher who was caught on video slapping a pupil, notes News24. In a statement yesterday, the union said: ‘The SAOU wishes to emphasise that we support our member and her labour rights,’ the union said in a statement.

In video footage circulated on social media for much of last week, the teacher and pupil are caught in an apparent verbal disagreement which escalates. The pupil shoves the teacher who retaliates by slapping the teenager across the face. Both the teacher and the student face disciplinary hearings and a date for the pupil's hearing is set for 14 February.

Yolisa Nocanda of the Chamber of Legal Students, which is representing the student, reportedly told News24 that the pupil faced numerous charges, including intimidation by verbal and physical threat intended to harm a person; ignoring or failing to carry out specific instructions; actions which bring the school's name into disrepute; violating the rights of other learners to receive education by disrupting classes, preventing teachers from teaching; and violating the rights of the teacher to carry out their task to the detriment of the school, staff, teacher and fellow learners.

In addition to the disciplinary hearings, criminal cases have also been opened by both parties. The union said it would provide legal representation for the teacher ‘if permitted to do so’.

Full News24 report