Burnt boy settling in well at new school

A PORT Elizabeth toddler whose plight touched the heart of good Samaritans after he was burnt with boiling water, allegedly by his teacher, is settling in at his new school in Sydenham.

Siya Tyika, 3, of Zwide, was badly burnt in what Social Development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi described as a barbaric attack when Zwide Pre-Primary School teacher Siphokazi Dlaku, 26, allegedly poured boiling water on him deliberately as punishment for soiling his pants.

The school said it was an accident.

Days later, a businessman and his wife – joint owners of a Sydenham pre-school – offered Siya a place at their school.

It has been a week today since he started at the Sydenham pre-school, and the couple – who do not want to be named "because we are not seeking publicity" – say Siya is doing well.

"The boy is very happy and you can see he enjoys being at the new school. He is a good little boy who has an open heart. He gets attached to you once he comes to know you," the man said.

He said he had suggested to Siya's mother, Babalwa Tyika, that he go for counselling as the "trauma could still be playing in his mind". - Hendrick Mphande