Classes at the school had to be dismissed and police including emergency medical services were dispatched after the incident.
Classes at the school had to be dismissed and police were called to the scene
THREE people, including two learners at Greenpoint High School in Kimberley and one parent, were stabbed when a fight broke out between two gangs.
Classes at the school had to be dismissed and police as well as emergency medical services were dispatched after the incident.
Residents in the area said gang violence at the school is a norm and the events on Tuesday were a continuation of Monday’s disruption.
“A similar incident took place on Monday. Luckily the children were done writing examinations and the school was dismissed. This ongoing problem poses a threat to the lives of learners and teachers.
“We send our children to school to get an education, not to get killed. This problem requires the urgent intervention of the police and the Department of Education. There needs to be proper security at the school to stop children entering the school with dangerous weapons,” they said.
Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Sydney Stander, said the department was busy with an intervention when the problem again arose.
“A preliminary report shows that the fighting on Tuesday stems from a similar incident that took place on Monday, involving two groups of boys at the school. As part of monitoring the school, two Circuit Managers visited the school on Tuesday. While the department team was busy engaging the learners, a group of boys entered the school and started fighting with members of an opposing gang.
“They were requested by the school principal to leave the premises. The boys were carrying all kinds of weapons,” said Stander.
He said one community member was injured during the incident.
“It was later established that some community members were inside the school premises to accompany their children. Gang members stabbed one of the community members and learners. The principal called the police and while waiting for the police, a parent was stabbed in the back. The principal managed to get the gang members to leave the school premises,” said Stander.
Stander said several weapons were confiscated by the police.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane, said no case has been opened.
“It is believed that the two gangs are in conflict over territory. Two learners and one parent were stabbed. One learner and the parent were stabbed on the premises while the other learner was stabbed outside the school. The injured were transported by ambulance to hospital,” said Gopane.
