Pupils are fed up with gangsters
Osizweni Secondary School’s principal is accused of doing nothing about gangsters.
eMBALENHLE – Pupils from Osizweni Combined School and Osizweni Secondary School said they are tired of the gangster groups who bully them after school.
These groups are called the Right Turns, the Spark Turns, the Amarodo and the Mandela Section groups.
Pupils said the Mandela Section group is the most dangerous.
Two pupils from Osizweni Combined School said they saved money to buy a knife in order to have a weapon to defend themselves with.
“Gangsters always wait for us at the bus stop, especially on Fridays.
“They forcefully take our money, school bags and Grasshoppers,” said the two pupils.
Also read – eMba parents concerned about gangs
The pupils also said that on days when they are required to wear casual clothes, the gangsters target those wearing expensive clothes and steal it.
The two pupils said after they had bought the knife, they decided to inform their teacher about it.
Sgt Sibusiso Mbuli from Evander Police Station confirmed that he received a phone call from the teacher who informed him about the pupils and the knife.
“The teacher called me because I always visit the school to warn pupils about crime, to listen to their problems regarding crime and to motivate them to concentrate on their studies,” said Sgt Mbuli.
He went to Osizweni Combined School where he spoke to the two pupils and encouraged them not to get involved in crimes but to inform their parents should they experience any bullying at school.
One pupil from Osizweni Secondary School said some of the Spark Turns gangsters are registered pupils at her school.
“The principal knows who they are, but does nothing about it.
“What surprises us, is that our school is next to the K9 Police Unit building, but the police do not patrol the area,” said the pupil.
Some pupils of this school allegedly no longer attend school because of the gangsters.
The two pupils also said some parents blame their children for going to circumcision schools without their permission, but do not know they are being forced by the gangsters to join these schools.
One pupil, a member of the Spark Turns group, said he regrets joining the group and is not allowed to quit.
“They said if I quit, they will kill me because I will inform the police.
“At times they forcefully drag me from home in front of my mother.”
He further said his mother cannot say anything because she fears for her life.
Sgt Mbuli said the police will monitor the schools during the exams.
He warned parents about the problem of gangsters.
“Parents should encourage their children to report any abuse so that we can assist in fighting this pandemic of gangsterism.
The newspaper did not receive a comment from the school principal of Osizweni Secondary School at time of going to press.
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