School principal sparks fight against tuckshop owner
On Thursday October 3, a friendly warning from the principal of Opelweg Primary to the owner of Africa shop in Opel Street turned into an ugly scene with an almost fatal ending.
EDEN PARK – The owner, or manager, of the tuck shop, a Somali national who would not give his name, said the principal just arrived at his shop told him and his staff that they must not sell goods to the learners at the fence during school hours.
Two employees at the shop alleged that a fight started when two unknown people from nowhere started to fight them and in the scuffle one employee was stabbed and rushed to hospital.
Principal of Opelweg Primary said, “I have a responsibility to my learners from 08:00 to 14:00. They are under my care and protection.
“Today drugs are sold to learners over the fence and with that in mind, I took it upon myself to warn the shop owner to stop selling goods to our learners over the fence. Arrogantly, he said he is a businessman and can sell to anyone, at any time.” Politely I told him, “Do not sell to the learners between 08:00 and 14:00.”
At the peak of the argument, a fight broke out between the shop employees and frustrated youngsters who could not stand the way the shop owner and staff were shouting at me.
“I was later informed at the school that somebody was stabbed. It was not my aim to have the problem solved or ended in this manner. I feel very sorry for him, said the principal. No case was opened with the police.
I fully agree with the principal