A Minerva Secondary School learner was stabbed three times and rushed to hospital on Monday in an incident believed to be linked to gangsterism in Alexandra, reports Alex News.

According to Community Policing Forum (CPF) spokesperson Chris Mabunda, a group of intruders, believed to include boys from other schools in Alexandra, camped outside Minerva Secondary until lunchtime when learners were exiting their classes.

They then allegedly jumped over the school wall and onto the premises, before attacking a group of learners.

Learner stabbed

Mabunda said that most of the targeted learners, mainly in grades 10 and 11, managed to flee back into their classrooms for safety. However, a 16-year-old learner was stabbed in the back three times.

Mabunda said an ambulance was called to the scene, and the injured learner was rushed to a clinic in Alexandra for medical attention. Police were also called to the incident, but the suspects reportedly fled after the attack.

Mabunda confirmed that a case of aggravated assault was opened with the police on the same day.

“What we know is that there is this issue of tribalism and gangsterism happening in Alexandra, so some gangs attack a group of learners [purportedly] in gangs, and they use weapons,” said Mabunda.

Gangsterism

This incident comes amid growing fears in the community over school-related gang activity.

Just last week, residents raised serious concerns about gangsterism in Alexandra high schools during a Sector 3 meeting held by the SAPS and the CPF. One parent shared how she now feels compelled to escort her child to and from school daily, to protect them from the growing violence.

Police also noted that criminality, especially gang violence and drug dealing among young people, is concerning.

Visible Policing commander Colonel Jerry Phaswana expressed concerns about issues of gangsterism, noting that learners from one school often fight learners from different schools, with Minerva and Alex High among the most affected by violence.

“Those high schools, they are giving us problems. We know that at 07:30 we must send a van to Minerva and another one to Alex High, and at the same time, the community also needs help,” he said.

Mabunda said the escalating violence requirements the intervention of all stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, the education department, community members, and the school governing body.

Alex News reached out to the department of education’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, for comment but none was received at the time of publishing.

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