Schooling has ’returned to normal’ at St Boniface High School in Kimberley following the disruptions on Friday, when a number of girls started collapsing, screaming and crying
SCHOOLING has “returned to normal” at St Boniface High School in Kimberley following the disruptions on Friday, when a number of girls started collapsing, screaming and crying.
Rumours spread quickly on Friday that the pupils had been affected by an “evil spirit”.
The school dismissed earlier than usual and parents were called to collect their children.
A video went viral on social media, where pupils could be seen collapsing, screaming and crying.
A voice note was also circulated by Tumelo Mosikare, who warned city residents that the situation might have been triggered by something in the tap water.
The Sol Plaatje Municipality, however, rubbished the claim.
Mosikare later clarified that the voice note was just a “friendly warning” to the public following the frequent water interruptions at Newton Reservoir.
The Northern Cape Department of Education and the police went to assess the situation at the school.
The department issued a statement calling for calm until the investigations on the matter are completed.
Department spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe also warned the public about spreading “false rumours” about the incident.
“At this stage it is still unclear what exactly transpired and we appeal to the general public to remain calm and not to spread any false rumours with regards to the situation,” said Van der Merwe on Friday.
“All we know is that the school issued a message to parents, indicating that learners collapsed at the school today.”
A statement was also circulated on Friday, in which an explanation was given that the pupils were busy with a second mass celebration.
The school confirmed issuing the statement.
According to the statement, a pupil collapsed at the end of the practice during the Lord’s Prayer.
“At the end of the practice we closed the session with the prayer. Just as we were about to come to the end of the prayer ‘Our Father’, one learner started screaming and the teachers ran to her and attended to her,” said the school.
“As the teachers were busy with the learner, another child screamed and cried. Within seconds a number of girls started screaming and crying.
“We tried to contain the situation by moving the affected learners to a central point, but more and more girls became affected. There was a lot of uncontrollable screaming and crying.
“The teachers took some of the learners who were not affected to the classrooms, as the support staff tried to help to contain the situation.
“While this was happening the school contacted the parish priest, who came with other priests from local parishes.
“The school also contacted the parents of the affected learners so that they could come to pick up their children.
“After the priests were done praying over the learners, they went around the school and prayed and blessed the classrooms, admin block and printing room, using holy water.
“The SAPS spiritual crime unit also came and engaged with the principal and committed to monitor the situation at future rehearsals.”
