MITCHELLS PLAIN – A Grade 10 learner at AZ Berman High School in Tafelsig has been suspended following an alleged stabbing incident that left three other learners injured. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, 10 September, has prompted a police investigation and raised concerns about safety and security within the school premises.
According to reports, an argument broke out between the suspect and the victims, leading to the alleged assault with a screwdriver. The three injured learners were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The school's principal, Mr Voges, promptly notified parents of the incident around 12:20pm, stating: "Good day. It is sad for me to inform parents that we had a stabbing incident at school today. A learner stabbed three others with a screwdriver. All three have been taken to hospital for treatment. Another learner had what appears to be an epileptic fit and she too has been taken to hospital. My staff was magnificent in disarming the boy and in rendering medical assistance until the paramedics came."
Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service, confirmed that Mitchells Plain detectives are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
"Mitchells Plain police responded to a stabbing incident at a secondary school in Tafelsig, on Wednesday, 10 September, at about 12:20, where three learners were stabbed. According to reports an argument ensued between the suspect and the victims," Twigg stated. "The learners were taken to a medical facility treatment. The suspect is yet to be arrested."
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson, Millicent Merton, also confirmed that the incident took place on Wednesday morning.
The incident has sparked questions within the community regarding preventative measures and the safety of learners within the school environment.
Linda Jones, Public Relations Officer for the Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum (CPF), raised concerns about the prevention of such incidents and whether students are subjected to searches.
Jones stated: “Gangsters are using the school grounds as their recruiting grounds, and use the young ones to recruit for them on the school premises. Some of the children are too fearful to come home and tell their parents about it, because they are being threatened, because if they do they are going to be hurt. This is sad that our children's lives are being thrown off guard. It seems as if there is no hope, no way out, but to join the gangs. The CPF’s concern is: where are we heading to?”
Jones's statement highlights a deeper concern about the influence of gangs on young learners and the potential for schools to become recruiting grounds for criminal activities. The fear and intimidation experienced by some students, who are reluctant to report threats to their parents, further exacerbates the problem.
The incident at AZ Berman High School underscores the challenges faced by schools in maintaining a safe and secure environment for learners. The presence of weapons on school grounds, coupled with the influence of gangs, poses a significant threat to the well-being of students and the overall learning environment.
The police investigation into the stabbing is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
The suspension of the Grade 10 learner is a necessary step to ensure the safety of other students and to allow for a thorough investigation into the matter. However, the incident also calls for a broader discussion about the underlying issues that contribute to school violence and the need for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges.
The WCED, school authorities, and community stakeholders must work together to implement effective measures to prevent future incidents and create a safer learning environment for all learners at AZ Berman High School and other schools in the Mitchells Plain area. This may include increased security measures, such as regular searches for weapons, as well as programmes to address gang violence and provide support for vulnerable students.
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