Mafia Gang: Pupils in court
A pupil was stabbed at the school in 2010.
Update: October 30
THE three schoolboys believed to be members of a group called ‘The Mafia Gang’ at Suid-Natal High in Port Shepstone appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court last Friday.
The teens, who are in matric, were arrested and charged with common assault last month, after they allegedly assaulted a class mate.
The case was postponed to December 9, to give the boys a chance to write their end of year exams.
Update: October 4
SOME shocking stories have surfaced since the arrest of three Suid Natal High pupils for bullying this week, with some parents saying they have been left with no choice but to take their children out of the school.
In 2010, an assault case was opened after a 13-year-old pupil was stabbed in the ribs with a screw. “The case went to court but nothing ever came of it as there was no feedback from the school,” said the parent.
The same pupil was badly beaten about two months ago, and his parents had to make the difficult decision to take him out of the school.
As a result, the pupil has not completed his school career and has had to find a temporary job.
His parents were advised that they were making the best decision as their son is an epileptic, and a kick to the head, or something similar, could cause severe damage.
“This has affected his future and ruined his school career,” said the concerned parent. He explained that after the stabbing incident his child went from loving school to hating it.
To make matters worse the bullies told him they were ‘watching him’.
He described the last few years as a ‘nightmare’. “The life of my child was worth more than education. I was afraid for his life,” the parent said.
Suid-Natal High is the only Afrikaans high school on the South Coast and this leaves parents of bullied children with limited options regarding their children’s education.
It was heard this week that this couple, along with others, have removed their children from the school for similar ‘bullying’ reasons.
“There is no control over the children and no discipline. Even if the child is found to be in the wrong, nothing is done about it,” said the parent.
“The school is not taking any of this seriously.”
Despite approaching the school for comment, no response was received. Repeated calls to the department o0f education went unanswered.
October 3
THREE matric boys, believed to be members of a group called ‘The Mafia Gang’, were arrested and charged with common assault at Suid-Natal High in Port Shepstone on Tuesday this week.
The arrests came after a pupil (17) was assaulted by two other pupils, aged 17 and 18.
According to eyewitnesses, some pupils were walking home after exams last term when a vehicle pulled up behind them and two pupils jumped out of the car. They were wearing biker helmets and gloves and were allegedly armed with knuckledusters. They beat up one of the boys who sustained a bruised eye and required five stitches above his right eyebrow.
Detective Warrant Officer Johan Botha, who was joined by two other policemen, arrested the two pupils before the start of school on Tuesday this week.
Minutes before the arrest, the 18-year-old was seen driving into the school grounds while talking on his cellphone. The pupils appeared in Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court that same morning.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid said the boys were released on condition they did not assault or threaten anyone, and that they did not interfere with any of the witnesses.
They are due to appear in court again on October 24.
Shortly after the arrest, another pupil apparently assaulted the same victim on the school premises, for ‘busting’ his friends.
This pupil was also arrested on Tuesday afternoon and appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Wednesday).
According to reports the pupils are members of a group called ‘The Mafia Gang’ which has a ‘hit list’ of teachers and pupils it wants to ‘finish off’ before the end of the school year.
It’s also believed that these pupils have a long history of bullying other pupils and swearing at teachers at the school.
Earlier this year another pupil was severely assaulted in a classroom after he allegedly stood up for a classmate who was being assaulted and sworn at.
The pupil suffered whiplash, mild concussion and severe headaches.
Although a hearing was held at the school, it’s believed no date for a second hearing was set. Despite numerous attempts to contact the school principal, she has not been available for comment. Parents of the bullied pupils welcomed the arrests.
“I feel relieved as I have been fearing for my child’s life. They have got what they deserve as they have threatened both pupils and teachers. I’m sorry if it might ruin their matric year, but hopefully it will be a wake-up call for them. Bullying is not acceptable and certainly not how you resolve things,” said one mother.
Lt-Col Wiid said police viewed bullying at school as ‘serious’ as it not only affects the victims, but has a serious emotional effect on other pupils at the school.
“We want to issue a stern warning to pupils to abstain from violence at schools and outside the premises. Such irresponsible behaviour may result in the offenders having a criminal record,” she said.
