Learners are in hot water after they carried out brutal attacks on a school security guard and a pedestrian last week, in what were violent and bloody incidents.

It has been a disruptive and tiring week for the staff and learners of Brindhavan Secondary School in Chatsworth, Durban, with three consecutive days of police, private security and ambulance presence, painting a dark picture of the current state of affairs in and around the once-revered institution.

“All I am at liberty to tell you is that an incident took place and the matter is under investigation. The priority was getting the victim treated. It is now a police matter,” said the principal, Rajen Moodley, when contacted for a comment.

One of the residents, who refused to be named for fear of their safety, said these incidents have been signs of the school’s fall from grace.

“In the first incident on Tuesday, a bakkie parked up our road with six learners from the school, dressed in uniform, drinking their morning away. The learners then went into the school toward midday before reemerging at the front gates. They had some sort of argument with the security guard, who followed them up to their bakkie before all hell broke loose.

“Six boys hit and swung at the guard with bush knives. They ended up cutting him behind his ears. He was then rushed to hospital for medical attention. The next day, the bakkie returned with around four learners, circling the outside of the schoolyard, before driving in and assaulting the same guard. This time, it was much worse with the boys stabbing the guard.”

The witness claims the guard sustained stab wounds to his hands and arms.

“I believe they also broke his arm. On Thursday, the same boys were outside the school premises when a couple was walking past. The unknown couple got into an argument and the man began hitting his pregnant partner. Upon seeing this, the boys went after him, stabbing him and busting his head open with a brick,” explained the resident.

Chatsworth SAPS communications officer Captain Cheryl Pillay confirmed that on February 14, at approximately 14:00, a security guard from a secondary school in Chatsworth attempted to close the school gates when he was assaulted by learners.

“The 42-year-old man sustained head injuries during the attack. Chatsworth police are investigating a case of assault with investigations ongoing,” said Pillay.

The community member continued: “We are afraid. This school has no proper security and in our little community, this is a terrible thing to witness. I went to this school when I was young and it was nothing like this.”

Head of communications at the Department of Education, Muzi Mahlambi, added: “We have identified the learners and a tribunal sitting has been scheduled for this week.”