The KwaZulu-Natal teacher responsible for issuing corporal punishment to Thuthukani Zuma (16) who later died from the injuries has been arrested and suspended with immediate effect.

Zuma allegedly arrived late for school at Phezulu High School at Hammersdale and was allegedly beaten. He was later pronounced dead on arrival at a local clinic.

With the World celebrating International Children's Day - the announcement of Zuma's death could not have come at a worse time. Ina Cronje, the KwaZulu Natal Education MEC, received the news as she was about to address hundreds of school children celebrating International Childrens day at Kingspark Soccer Stadium in Durban.

She condemned the incident informing members of the media that the teacher concerned - a senior official at the school - had been arrested and suspended from the school. The news came shortly after Shamila Batohi, the director of Public Prosecutions in the province, addressed the children attending the celebrations. She had just told them that children should assist officials in making sure that those people who abuse children are prosecuted.

Sbu Ndebele, the KwaZulu-Natal premier, also condemned the incident. During his address he told those present that children's rights need to be respected. Meanwhile, Cronje said the news of the death of a school child on the day the world celebrated the rights of children served to emphasize the reality of child abuse.