SEBOKENG – According to the pupil, on Wednesday, February 23, a group of boys from Polokong invaded the school and stabbed one boy with a sharp object.
The following day, Thursday, they came back to the school and lingered around until the school went out.
A fight broke out with the deceased, he was stabbed and rushed to the hospital where he subsequently died.
Today, February 24, the school was disrupted by pupils with placards, singing, and chanting outside the school.
Residents and parents of some of the pupils also gathered outside the school over the safety of the pupils.
High police contingent was deployed to the school to maintain law and order.
Sedibeng Ster traced the family of the boy only known as Tumelo, who refused to speak to the media.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he is saddened by the incident.
In a statement issued by the department, Department’s spokesman Steve Mabona said “according to information at our disposal, the incident is alleged to have occurred after school outside the school premises, and it is also alleged that he was stabbed by a fellow learner”.
“The learner was subsequently rushed to Sebokeng hospital, where he was unfortunately certified dead on arrival. This incident follows the stabbing and hospitalization of another Grade 11 boy learner from the said school on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, during a fight that broke out at a local sports ground late at night,” he said.
Mabona said learners were sent home on Friday, 24 February 2023, as the community was outraged by the frequent occurrence of these incidents and began stoning buses and blocking off roads.
“Our Psycho-Social Support team will be deployed to the school on Monday, 27 February 2023, to provide trauma support and counselling These services will also be extended to the family,” said Mabona.
In the same statement, MEC Chiloane said “We mourn the untimely death of one of our learners, indeed we are deeply hurt and concerned by the occurrence of gangsterism which shortens the lives of our learners and jeopardizes their future. We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and school community at large”.
MEC Chiloane will be visiting the school on Monday, 27 February 2023.
