Knife violence in Alex – 2 learners wounded at school

The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed yet another stabbing incident involving high school learners in Alexandra.
Reports came in on January 24 over knife violence at Alex High School, where two Grade 9 learners were stabbed, a situation that the department said they were aware of and concerned about.

Read more: Alex learner stabbed on his way to school

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said their understanding was that the violence had spilt over from the previous day at the school, when learners were said to have started fighting outside the school premises on January 23.

“The violence continued on Friday as learners were preparing for classes,” Mabona said. “Unfortunately, two learners were stabbed by a fellow Grade 9 boy learner. Parents were informed, and the victims were taken to the nearest hospital where they are receiving medical attention.”

Mabona said the perpetrator fled the scene and that necessary disciplinary processes would take place accordingly. He reaffirmed that all public schools follow section 9 (2) of the South African School Act, which authorises a School Governing Body (SGB) to take precautionary measures such as suspending learners for serious misconduct.

Also read: Teacher and learner allegedly stab each other at Alex High

According to Mabona, SGBs may only enforce such a suspension after the learner has been granted a reasonable opportunity to make representations in relation to allegations against them.

“If a learner is suspended, the SGB must conduct disciplinary proceedings within seven days of the suspension, failing which, the governing body must obtain the approval of the head of department for the continuation of the suspension of such learner,” Mabona said. “Schools are urged to implement these safety regulations and enforce their codes of conduct to deal with disciplinary matters. The department has a policy of zero tolerance to any form of misconduct.” Mabona said persons found to be transgressing against this policy would be dealt with in line with the Act.
In light of this recent stabbing incident, an urgent parent meeting was held at Alex High School on January 26 to discuss the challenges faced by the school. These include fighting between learners, gangsterism, tardiness, learners’ discipline, parental involvement, community patrollers, police visibility, learner overcrowding, and potential ways forward.
The police were contacted on January 24 to confirm the incident but had not responded to date.
Alex News will keep community members updated as this story develops.

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Related article: Body found with multiple stab wounds in Alexandra