Alex learner stabbed on his way to school
A learner stabbed on the first day back to school in Alex is receiving medical attention at Charlotte Maxeke hospital.
As learners returned to school across South Africa on January 15, one learner in Alex was met by a violent incident on the way to school.
The Minerva Secondary Grade 10 learner was stabbed, allegedly by a former learner.
Read more: Teacher and learner allegedly stab each other at Alex High
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed on January 17 that the incident had taken place and that the victim had subsequently been taken to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Mabona lamented that schools also experienced societal ills and these were evident in learner ill-discipline, learner-to-learner/teacher violence, bullying, gangsterism, substance abuse, underage sex and teenage pregnancies.
“Our schools are a microcosm of society and what generally occurs in our society finds expression in our schools,” Mabona said. “We urge learners to refrain from acts of misconduct, and implore parents to assist the department in instilling learner discipline in and outside the school environment.”
Also read: Body with stab wounds found dumped in street
Mabona added the department’s psycho-social support team was dispatched to the school to provide necessary support to learners and staff. He said the department had established partnerships aimed at inculcating good school behaviour and creating awareness campaigns and referrals after such incidents.
“The approach is both proactive and reactive. We have partnered with departments of social development, community safety, and NGOs to deal with most of these social ills manifesting in our schools.”
SAPS was contacted for an update on the stabbing and it was apparent that the police had not been notified of the incident by the school or by community members. Johannesburg district police communications coordinator Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetlhane confirmed that a case had not been opened at Alexandra Police Station.
“The police encourage members of the community to always report criminal activities in their area to the nearest police station,” said Tshetlhane. “Alternatively, the public can report tip-offs on the MySAPS App which can be downloaded on any smartphone, or through the SAPS Crime Stop line on 08600 10111.
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