Nine of the learners at a Limpopo school, who are seen wielding dangerous weapons during a fight on a video that went viral on social media, have been suspended.
The learners are seen carrying sharp weapons such as pangas and knives.
Two of the learners at Tlakale Mashashane Secondary School are writing their matric exams. The learners on the video are allegedly part of local gangs at Ga-Mashashane village.
A video captured by a learner at Tlakale Mashashane Secondary School at Ga-Mashashane, shows learners dressed in their school uniform, chasing one another with deadly weapons.
The incident allegedly occurred after school hours at a ground not far from the school premises.
Chairperson of the School Governing Body Mpho Mathatho says a battle between two rival gangs operating in the area, had escalated.
“There were actually two groups. So, the problem about the groups was that the groups are carrying all sorts of weapons, therefore we have heard that there is a group leader from the other group which is called the CRK. There is another group and the team leader … the use of weapons, which the kids were carrying, is like there were panga, slasher, two knives.”
Mathato says parents have also observed a trend of substance abuse amongst some learners.
“They used to carry these weapons and they hide them somewhere outside the school premises when they go out – as you can remember that the incident happened outside the school yard after school. Problem with us SGB is that it happened while the kids were still wearing uniform. They form themselves into gangsters because there are substances which all of them are taking, you know.”
Spokesperson of the Provincial Education Department, Sam Makondo, says learners who have been suspended, including two matrics, are writing exams in different venues.
“In this group that got suspended there are two Grade 12 learners who are also suspended and since the matter is still under investigation we will accordingly afford them the opportunity to write their examinations under suspension at a different venue and they have been writing since the start of the examinations.”
The decision to suspend the learners was taken during a parent-teacher meeting held at the school.
Investigations into the matter are continuing.
Watch video below:
He banna are those kids wielding pangas ? ?????♂️??♂️??♂️??♂️??♂️ https://t.co/RbGjUYKaLL
— Lord (@SbuThaLord) October 23, 2018
