REGARDING the arrest of students at Parktown Boys' High, was it not all a little too dramatic?
It is hardly necessary to bring criminal proceedings against the boys as it is highly doubtful that their intentions were to cause grievous bodily harm, or even that they knew what they were doing was indecent assault.
The police could have issued notice for the students to report to the police station or the court.
The pupils are hardly a flight risk.
I also wonder why Pene Kimber waited so long to lay criminal charges as the incident happened in February, and the arrest would just disrupt all pupils at the school studying for mid-year exams.
Kimber would most likely have received fair compensation through civil means. By bringing criminal proceedings, she is potentially ruining the lives of the students concerned.
I am not condoning the incident, but it seems a bit extreme. It was an initiation ceremony, according to previous reports.
Rumour has it that Kimber's son was a recent recruit to Parktown Boys, having come from another school, and when the discipline incident was about to take place he was told he was exempt.
He apparently chose to take part in it.
The incident was certainly overboard, but most boys' schools have this type of self-discipline by the pupils and that is why their parents send them to these schools.
It's also not necessary for parents to take photographs of Kimber's vehicle, as I have seen her picture many times in newspapers and on Carte Blanche.
Personally, I would not want to have my photo splashed on the front page. It also deflects the issue from her son to herself, as though she is the victim.
Finally, I do think the boys and teachers involved should publicly apologise to all the fine upstanding past, present and future students who may be affected by the adverse publicity this incident has received.
A Smith
Weltevreden Park
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