A 14-year-old Grade 8 pupil of Swobani Secondary School in the Soutpansberg West Circuit is lucky to be alive after being stabbed at the school on Friday, 6 March. The incident has raised serious concerns about discipline and safety at the school, amid growing reports of gangsterism, substance abuse, bullying and general unruly behaviour among learners.
It is alleged that a Grade 10 learner became involved in a violent altercation with the Grade 8 pupil. During the fight, the younger boy sustained a severe stab wound and was rushed to the nearest clinic for medical treatment. The matter was later referred to the police.
A member of the School Governing Body (SGB), who wished to remain anonymous, said the school community was still trying to come to terms with the incident.
“It seems we have a serious problem with gangsterism here. Other learners are now too afraid to come to school. The SGB will be meeting with various stakeholders on Tuesday, 10 March, to discuss the situation and consider disciplinary action,” the member said.
The SGB member added that attempts had been made to establish what had led to the stabbing, but no one had been willing to provide information.
The spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Education, Mike Maringa, said the department strongly condemned the incident.
“Acts of violence within school premises pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of learners, educators and non-teaching staff, and undermine the constitutional right to education,” he said.
Maringa appealed to parents, teachers and other stakeholders to work together to ensure that schools remain safe environments for learning.
In the meantime, Vhembe police spokesperson Captain Vuledzani Dathi said that no case had yet been opened with the police for investigation regarding the incident. Both learners involved are minors.