Cape Town – Angry parents reportedly protested outside Geluksdal Secondary school in Brakpan, Gauteng, demanding that learners be allowed to leave out of fear for their safety following the stabbing of a grade 10 learner.
Reports indicated that Shawn Mphela, 18, was fatally wounded following a fight with his classmates on Thursday.
A graphic video of the violent incident circulated on social media, raising concern over the safety of the pupils.
According to Gauteng department of education spokesperson Steve Mabona, the fight between the learners started when three grade 10 boys pepper sprayed other learners during school hours, reported IOL.
“Subsequently, about eight learners confronted them about their behaviour and they stopped. However, it is alleged that the perpetrators emerged after school in the company of unknown persons who are not from school.
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“Accordingly, this group reportedly started a fight with the learners who were not pleased by their behaviour and started stabbing them. Unfortunately, one of the learners passed away from a fatal stab wound,” the report quoted Mabona as saying.
Another learner escaped with minor injuries, the report said.
News24 reported that following the incident, a few pupils reported for school, but others gathered at a recreational park and planned to protest outside the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court, where three people were expected to appear in connection with Mphela’s murder.
Meanwhile, parents called for their children to be allowed to leave the school before they were forced to join the protest, the report said.
“They must release our children. They are not safe at this school. We don’t know whose child is next. I didn’t want her to come to school this morning. On my way here, I saw other pupils gathering at a recreational park. They are planning to come and force our children to join them,” the report quoted one parent as saying
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
