Teacher assaulted over pupil’s hair

Acting Copperbelt commissioner of police Joyce Kasosa and the teacher, identified as Susan Maipambe, confirmed in separate interviews yesterday that the scuffle happened on Wednesday.
Ms Kasosa, however, did not have full details by press time.
But Mrs Maipambe narrated that the incident happened after she cut off the braids of a 14-year-old grade eight pupil.
Mrs Maipambe said last week, she warned the girl against coming to school with plaited hair, which is against school regulations.
“The girl along with other girls were warned that they should not come to school with plaited hair but this week, she reported with plaited hair again,” Mrs Maipambe said.
Mrs Maipambe said she decided to cut off the girl’s braids with scissors so that she could finish undoing them at home after knocking off from school.
She said the girl sneaked out of school to tell her mother about the incident.
“The mother came fuming without even hearing me out and threatened to cut off my hair but I told her we should settle the matter in the headmaster’s office. Before I knew it, she pushed me to the floor and started beating me,” Mrs Maipambe said.
She said the woman allegedly assaulted her before her colleagues rescued her.
Mrs Maipambe said she sustained bruises on her face, legs and shoulder.
She said she reported the matter to Masala Police Station, where she was issued with a medical report and she was later treated at Ndola Central Hospital.
The suspect, identified as Mwansa Chansa, is detained at Masala Police Station.