High school kids cause havoc after derby at Norkem

THE DA has called for an investigation following alleged rampant behaviour by learners during a soccer tournament at Norkem Park High School on Saturday.

The annual Kemp Classico sees Norkem battle it out on the soccer field with Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School.

Ward councillor Johann Jordaan said beer bottles littered Mooifontein Drive and James Wright Avenue next to Norkem High and taxis blocked the street in front of the school.

“The DA calls on the MMC for community safety, Vivian Chauke, to investigate the disruptions caused by learners on Saturday evening,” he said.

“According to reports from residents learners attending the event were under the influence of alcohol and went on a rampage in taxis they were travelling in between Norkem Park and Birchleigh North,” he added.

A resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “Learners behaved in such a manner that one can only call it disgusting. They consumed alcohol in public and sat on taxi roofs while the vehicle was moving. He said vehicles were out of control and the police and metro police were nowhere to be found.

“With such behaviour of school kids one can only wonder where the youth are going and where the school personnel were,” he added.

Jordaan emphasised it was unacceptable that residents could at first not reach Norkem Park SAPS and when officers were finally dispatched to the scene, they were reportedly unable to manage the situation.

“It is also unacceptable that the management of Norkem High failed to act on Saturday evening.”

Norkem Park High School principal, Hasani Chauke, said the majority of pupils who misbehaved were not from Norkem Park High School but from other schools from as far as Tembisa. He also apologised for the misbehaviour of learners during the event and empathised with residents.

“Truth is, it is true, there were a lot of learners here but they were from other schools and they were outside the school premises. We do not have control of what takes place outside the school gate,” he said.

Chauke said the soccer tournament ended at 2pm and the school gates had been locked thereafter.

“We had an incident-free event. There was no alcohol on the school premises. We did all we could to control the event. Taxis and cars started arriving after the tournament had ended,” he added.

He said not even the metro police could remove the pupils from the vicinity because the mob would leave and return shortly afterwards.

Chauke said it was an annual event and the school would consider moving it to a weekday.

“This event is about celebrating our talented learners. We want to show parents our kids play sport. It would be unfortunate to have to remove such sporting activities from the school, I am also frustrated by this,” Chauke said.

He said that parents also needed to come to the party and take responsibility.

“Many learners arrived in their parents’ vehicles, while others hired kombis with money given to them by their parents. It was clear the children had a lot of money at their disposal. Responsibility needs to be taught from the homes and we need to come together as a community to tackle and curb some of these issues we are facing,” he added.

“I was told from here learners went to another venue where festivities continued. I want to see our learners excel, both academically and in sport. I am very sorry for what happened but appeal to parents to assist us in this regard.”

Robbers also saw the event as an opportunity for crime and cases were reported at Norkem Park Police Station.

According to Norkem Park SAPS spokesman, Capt Lesibana Molokomme, three learners were robbed of their cellphones and in another incident four Norkem High learners were attacked by two suspects.

“The first incident took place at 2:30pm along Olienhout Avenue next to Laerskool Birchleigh. Three learners were robbed of their four cellphones by two men. The two suspects were later arrested by members of the CPF in possession of the cellphones,” he said.

In another incident, four Norkem learners were attacked by two suspects, a male and female aged 19 and 21, along Geelvink Street in Birch Acres.

“It is alleged one of the victims, aged 13, was assaulted and forced to drink alcohol by the perpetrators. It is also alleged the victims were robbed of two cellphones, a BlackBerry Z3, and a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 valued at R20 000, as well as R80 cash.”

The male suspect (21) was known by one of the victims and his house was visited but he was not found until the following day, Molokomme added.

“On Sunday at 10:30am both suspects were arrested after being brought to the station by their parents,” he said.

The two stolen cellphones have not been found and investigations continue.