A Grade 11 learner at Magoletsa High School at Medingen Village, outside Tzaneen in Limpopo, has been stabbed to death and two others were wounded during a fight between two groups.
Learners allegedly clashed after others threatened to expose drug dealing at the school. The two wounded learners have been hospitalised at Kgapane.
The Department of Education has sent condolences to the family of the Grade 11 learner, who succumbed to injuries. Department spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene says the incident has come as a shock.
“We have just been alerted to a very disturbing incident where a learner was stabbed to death by a fellow learner from Magoletsa Secondary School in our Mopani East District yesterday (Wednesday), the principal was called in the afternoon to report that a group of learners fought on their way home, they stabbed one another and were rushed to Kgapane Hospital, unfortunately, one of them succumbed to his injuries.”
Chuene says the education authorities in the district have been assigned to probe the matter.
“We are shocked and sadden by the news and send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, and wished speedy recovery to the injured, the district director is visiting the school as we speak now for more details, and we are also activating our psycho-social team in partnership with the department of social development for support to the school community and the affected family.”
Meanwhile, the Social Development Department spokesperson, Witness Tiva, says the department has dispatched a team of social workers to provide counselling to the bereaved family.
“The two teams of social workers from the Department of Education as well as the Department of Social Development has since yesterday been providing psycho-social support to the schooling community as well as the family of the deceased learner and other affected parties and we will continue to do so as and when this matter is developing.”
Tiva says the department will assist the family with the preparations for the funeral. He has also made a call to the community to work together to fight the social ills in communities.
“We will also conduct assessments on the family of the deceased to and identify possible areas of needs as an when they are continuing to prepare for the send-off of their child. And the department will want to reiterate our call to communities as well as other stakeholders to walk hand in hand with social workers to assist us to uproot the social ills that are ravaging or destroying the future of our young people.”
The violent behaviour amongst learners is a cause for concern. In April this year, 15-year-old Lufuno Mavhunga took her life after she was bullied at Mbilwi Secondary School, near Thohoyandou.
Reporting by Mahlatse Phaladi
