Tebogo Msimanga |
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says he is disheartened by an incident that occurred at Thaba-Jabula Secondary School in Pimville, Soweto on Thursday, 12 May 2022. A Grade 10 boy learner was stabbed by a Grade 9 boy learner during break time and later passed away in hospital.
Gauteng Education Spokesperson Steve Mabona said according to information at their disposal, the incident took place on school premises during break time. “It is alleged that the Grade 9 learner was defending his younger brother from being bullied by the deceased Grade 10 learner. He then reportedly stabbed the learner four times during the fight and fled the scene.”
The injured learner was rushed to a nearby medical facility by an educator and unfortunately passed away at 5 PM while receiving medical attention.
Mabona said the police were called and the culprit was arrested. He added that the Gauteng Department of Education dispatched its Psycho-Social Unit and a social worker on Friday, 13 May 2022 to provide necessary counselling and support to learners and educators at the school.
“Sadly, this process could not go ahead as some parents stormed the school demanding the release of learners. Subsequently, the school has been dismissed for the day because some learners began to fight among themselves.”
MEC Lesufi is appealing to parents to allow schooling to resume on Monday, 16 May 2022 so that the necessary support is provided to the school community. “We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased learner”.