Durban teen paralysed in school attack: Family slams lack of accountability

The family of 18-year-old Joshua Petersen is pleading for justice and accountability after the Westridge High School pupil was left paralysed from the neck down when he was stabbed twice on school premises in January.

According to Rising Sun, Joshua, who was in his matric year and known for his strong academic performance and passion for becoming a motor mechanic, was attacked by another pupil during school hours on January  22.

The brutal stabbing has left him unable to move his arms or legs, and doctors have since confirmed that he is permanently paralysed. Speaking from King George Hospital, where Joshua remains under care, his father, Trevor, described the emotional and financial toll the tragedy has taken on the family.

“Our family is just dejected now. We sent our son to school and got a call saying he’s been stabbed. Now we are told he will never walk again,” he said.

According to Petersen, the stabbing occurred in a blind spot in the school’s canteen area, a location not covered by surveillance cameras.

Westridge High School conducted an internal investigation and expelled two pupils: One allegedly responsible for handing the weapon to the attacker, and the other accused of carrying out the stabbing. However, only one of the pupils has been charged and is currently appearing in court.

“I’ve spoken to the principal, the investigating officer, even the police station captain, but there’s no action taken against the second accomplice. There’s no accountability. I don’t have a lawyer. I can’t afford one. But I want justice for my son,” Petersen said.

Joshua’s injuries have not only shattered his future but have also strained the family’s daily life. With his mother being chronically ill and his seven-year-old sister still waiting for her brother to come home and walk again, the family is grappling with unanswered questions and little support from the authorities.

“No one from the Department of Education has reached out. We’re just left alone to deal with this nightmare. We need help. We need support, counselling, legal aid, something,” Petersen added.

As the criminal case continues in the Durban High Court today, Petersen says all he wants is for those responsible to be held accountable and for his son’s future to be secured. “I need to know that my son, in this condition, will be looked after until the day he closes his eyes,” he said.

The Department of Education and SAPS were approached for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.

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