A Rondebosch Boys’ High School rugby coach has pleaded not guilty to a charge that he assaulted an opposing school’s player. Judgment is expected to be handed down in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday. File picture.
Judgment in a case involving a Rondebosch Boys’ High School rugby coach accused of assaulting an opposing school’s player is expected to be handed down in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Clinton van Rensburg is accused of assaulting a former SACS pupil after a rugby match between the two schools last August.
It is alleged that the coach struck the 17-year-old player with a closed fist after the match held at SACS, where Rondebosch Boys’ won 24-12.
The coach has made eight court appearances so far. He pleaded not guilty to the charge during his first appearance in court in September last year.
A non-profit organisation, Women2Women (W2W), which is supporting the former SACS pupil, has encouraged pupils across the country to speak out against all forms of abuse.
W2W founder Yaseen Johaar said they condemned all violent actions against women and children, especially in the schooling environment, and questioned why Mr Van Rensburg had not been suspended pending the outcome of the case.
“How do we create platforms for victims to speak out when institutions are biased in their conduct even before the court has passed judgment?” he said.
Mr Johaar said they had been in contact with the alleged victim and had attended court proceedings to show their support.
Rondebosch Boys’ headmaster Shaun Simpson said the school was aware of the case and was “monitoring the outcome closely”.
He said the coach had worked with young men for more than a decade without any incidents of this nature and had an excellent professional reputation as a mentor and coach in club, provincial and schools’ rugby.
“Given his impeccable history, the testament of young men with whom he has worked in the past, and the disputed incident for which there is no evidence but the allegation, which may prove vexatious, leads us to conclude that we have no reason to be concerned for the safety of the minors with whom he is involved at our school. We await the outcome of the case before the court to reach a legal finding that will guide us in our response going forward,” he said.