Gang wars are threatening schooling in Barberton, Mpumalanga. Local residents have buried a learner who was stabbed to death in what is believed to be gang rivalry wars.
Bongani Mkhabela’s friends and fellow pupils celebrated his life. The 17-year-old pupil was stabbed twice on the school premises and the family wants justice.
“The family is very sadden by the incident, where our child died in front of everyone and where everyone saw the murderer, but he is still not arrested. I’m pleading with the government to make a decision and arrest this boy, he killed him brutally,” said Mkhabela’s aunt, Ntombikayise Mabuza.
On the same day, another pupil was stabbed and he is fighting for his life in a local hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
The gang wars have traumatised not only the pupils, but also their parents.
“We can’t concentrate at school because we are always scared that they will come and terrorise us, they take our phone and they come to school with guns and knives,” said fellow pupil, Bridget Mathebula.
The Mpumalanga Basic Education Department has condemned the violence as it has claimed its second victim in just a month.
The residents are calling on police to intervene before more blood is shed on school grounds.
