Majuba made this call on Monday during his visit to Entokozweni Secondary School in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.

“It is quite sad to come to a school to look into issues of violence and loss of life. We wish that parents are at ease to send their children to schools, which in turn must present a safe environment and not a battleground.

“Incidents of bullying and violence cannot be allowed in schools. We request the broader society to work with the department to free our schools from all these social ills,” appealed Majuba.

READ: Schools battle to adhere to Covid-19 regulations after influx of pupils

Majuba’s visit to this school comes shortly after the death of a learner who had allegedly been physical assaulted by a fellow learner on August 4.

He used the visit to call on learners to behave and keep to the Code of Good Conduct, and condemned all acts of misbehaviour, including bullying.

“We must ensure there is no repeat of such an incident in the near future in schools within the province, and that the investigation is managed properly and transparently.” Majuba said learners and teachers were given psychological counselling from the departmental MEC team.