Channels

Ziona Mangistu
Photo: Elad Gershgorn

Violence, racism on board school bus

Father angered over his son's suspension assaults school bus escort, calling her 'stinking Ethiopian'

An resident of the northern city Kiryat Bialik is suspected of allegedly assaulting Ziona Mangistu, a public service employee in charge of escorting municipality school buses.

 

The incident occured on Tuesday, when Mangistu was instructed by the schools' principal to refuse boarding one of the kids, since he was suspended by the school.

 

Related Stories:

 

Shortly after complying with that order, Mangistu received a call from the boy's father whom she claims shouted racist slurs at her. Mangistu's husband Yossi said those remarks included "Stinking Ethiopian, we will have you sent back to where you came from."  


מנגיסטו בבית החולים. מילאה אחר ההוראות (צילום: אלעד גרשגורן, ידיעות אחרונות)

Mangistu in hospital. (Photo: Elad Gershgorn)

 

The husband added that later on the father boarded the bus and "in front of some 30 kids punched Ziona in the face, breaking her nose. She is still in bed suffering from pain and might have to return to hospital. More than the pain, she is shocked by the whole incident. This hatred. We do not comprehend the violence and racism; we are like any other citizen of this country," he added.

 

The father fled the scene shortly after the incident, while Mangistu was taken to hospital for medical care. She reported the incident to the school's principal, who her husband says advised her against filing a police complaint.

 

The Kiryat Bialik Municipality rejected this claim;  Mayor Eli Dukorsky said he "expects the police to convey zero tolerance message to aggression against public employees including this case." The mayor visited Mangistu and said the municipality will support and assist her.

 

Zvulun regional Police detained the father for questioning, and later on released him to house arrest for five days.

 

 

  • Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.31.12, 14:08
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment