Kwa-Thema – Fights between groups of learners from Kwa-Thema secondary schools are getting out of hand.
On Wednesday afternoon, an 18-year-old learner from Kenneth Masikela Secondary School was stabbed multiple times by alleged rival gang members.
It is alleged a group of learners from Phulong Secondary School accosted learners from Kenneth Masikela Secondary school while they were on their way from school.
A fight broke out between the two groups along Kgaswane and Sam Ngema streets.
One of the learners sustained injuries and had to be rushed to hospital.
A resident of the Gugulethu section in the area, Dipuo Mmuso, said she was alarmed when she saw a small group of male learners fighting in the street.
“I was terrified when I saw one of the learners bleeding and immediately alerted the police.
“The victim was rushed to hospital in a private car,” she explained.
The learner was attended to and discharged the same day.
A learner who asked not to be named explained that the only time they feel safe is when they are on the school premises and at home.
“Every time we are in the streets, we know that gangs from other schools may be lurking somewhere, waiting to attack us.
“They carry knives and other sharp objects. They don’t say anything when they approach but assault any learner, especially the boys.
“We are now forced to walk in groups to be able to defend ourselves from them,” he explained.
Kwa-Thema police spokesperson Sergeant Nkululeko Magudulela said preliminary police investigations indicate the learners were fighting after school, outside school premises.
“It is unclear at the moment how many people were injured or what could have been the cause of the fight.
“No one has been arrested and investigations are underway,” he added.
In response to the fight, concerned parents converged at Phulong Secondary School to raise their concerns.
Magudulela added that police are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
