Urgent safety measures discussed after fatal shooting outside South Hills school

The fatal shooting of Abdulragmaan Carrim outside Suidheuwels Primary School on November 25 left learners and staff shaken.

An urgent meeting with the school, SAPS and DA delegates was convened at the school on November 26. It aimed to pave the way for protecting the school and its staff in such incidents.

Principal Patience Ndzimandze, her deputies and HOD led the meeting. The DA delegates were Ward 57 Clr Faeeza Chame, Johannesburg Shadow MMC for Public Safety Solomon Maila, City of Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, and Education Portfolio Committee member in Gauteng Provincial Legislature Sergio dos Santos.

Ndzimandze said this incident affected the entire community.

“It happens every time in this area. What is worse is some learners witnessed what happened, and this traumatised them. Everyone, including teachers, is traumatised,” she said.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said, “This is a sensitive issue, and I feel certain communities are under siege. We also want to know whether this is an isolated incident,” she noted.

Maila shared the same sentiment in finding out how isolated this incident was. “How is this widespread? And do people feel unsafe around here?” he asked.

Explaining what she heard on the day, Ndzimandze said the school was out at 12:30 as they had finished writing exams.

“We were preparing our schedule, as there is a lot of planning. I then heard three gunshots.

“Carrim was coming to fetch learners as he usually did and he always ensured the learners were safe. We were shaken because we knew him well, as he worked at our tuck shop in 2020.

“We need training, as this is happening often. As teachers and learners, we need to know what to do when it happens because we don’t know how to respond. We feel helpless and it is our responsibility to keep learners safe.

“The perimeter fence of the school needs to be investigated. It was supposed to be erected four years ago, but it wasn’t,” she said.

The principal was concerned about random people often taking photos of the learners through the fence. Also, some learners will threaten others by saying they have uncles or families with guns. They require more safety.

Way forward

Maila said he will contact the province and make sure that there is more police visibility at the schools.

Dos Santos said he would enquire why the project to erect a fence a year ago was not completed. The contractor came back five months later and said there was no money.

Chame said the school’s concern was speed humps and to get another entrance as the only entrance poses a danger.

It was said that the school needs to build a relationship with the CPF and the police station commander has a direct line to them.

The delegates promised to ask questions at the council regarding school safety, plans to eradicate the high crime rate and the growing gangsterism in the area.

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