Justice sought for KZN teen left quadriplegic after school stabbing

A MARIANNHILL family is desperately seeking answers after their 17-year-old son was stabbed in the stomach and neck during a bullying incident at Wescourt High, leaving him a quadriplegic from the neck down.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

Two months after the attack, Joshua Petersen's parents have claimed that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has yet to respond or offer support, despite the life-altering consequences their son now faces.

On January 22, Joshua Petersen, was the victim of an alleged bullying incident at school.

To date there has been no justice for Joshua and he continues to face challenges with his health, including that will never walk again.

His father, Trevor Petersen, 50, a machine operator, said the incident had left their family traumatised.

He said it was worrying that the attack on him took place at school.

"A pupil had approached Joshua in the school canteen and accused him of hurting him. Joshua asked this pupil how? "Even though Joshua knew he didn't do anything, he still apologised and walked away from this pupil.

"Shortly after that, the same pupil returned and this time he had a knife concealed in his school pants. The pupil continued to say that Joshua had hurt him.

"He then pulled the knife and stabbed Joshua on the side of his stomach," said Petersen.

He said Joshua pushed the pupil away and tried to stop him from hurting him further.