Learner (13) brings gun to school
The community has called for stricter security at all schools.
Merlewood Primary School has expelled a Grade 8 learner for bringing a firearm and an empty magazine to school and for threatening a fellow learner recently.
The South Coast Herald has asked the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education for comment, but none had been received at the time of publishing.
However, the Herald was able to investigate and information emerged that the learner brought the firearm to school following threats to a fellow female learner while travelling to school via public transport.
A reliable source stated that the threatened girl informed her teacher and the school then informed the police as well as the Merlewood Community Policing Forum.
The learner was identified. A search was conducted but no firearm was found on him.
The said Grade 8 learner was questioned and he stated that he had given the firearm to another learner, fearing that he was going to be caught. That learner was pointed out and the firearm and empty magazine duly recovered.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Sibu Ncane said Port Shepstone police responded to the local primary school where the 13-year-old learner had brought a blank handgun to school.
“According to the learner, he alleges to have found the firearm after it was discarded. Police have opened an enquiry since the child is a juvenile and he was handed over into the care of his parents. The firearm was confiscated by police and will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if it had been used to commit other crimes,” he said.
“The public must be aware that it is an offence to rent/loan out your firearm. It is also an offence to point your firearm at someone or to lose it negligently,” said Ncane.
Ncane called on parents in possession of licensed firearms to ensure that they are locked in a safe when not in use and the key is kept on their person or somewhere safe, known only to them.
“Children must be taught that guns are dangerous and not toys. They must tell an adult if they find or see one. They must at no point handle a firearm. The public is advised to report any illegal firearms to the police,” said Ncane.
Meanwhile, resident and Merlewood CPF chairman, Zane Gouws called on the Department of Education to introduce stricter security at all schools.
“Fellow learners and teachers are in danger everyday. This was an isolated incident at this school but how often are knives and dangerous weapons being confiscated from our schools nationally? We have to protect our teachers and learners. What example are we setting for future leaders?”
The learner has since been expelled and the threatened girl has taken a transfer to another school, fearing for her safety.
On a side note, the presence of police and the Merlewood CPF members at school on that day brought fear to another learner and he handed over a taser.
“I want to assure parents and learners that the school is safe following this incident. As the CPF we will continue to educate learners about the dangers of carrying weapons and drugs to schools on the South Coast,” said Gouws.
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