Just a few days before sitting for their 2021 National Senior Certificate exams, disciplinary hearings have been scheduled for a few Parklands High School learners.
On October 22, Florentia’s Helen Centre was disrupted by a crowd of learners, reportedly between 200 and 400, in celebration of ‘Trash Day’.
This conduct, according to the Department of Education, is one where learners write on their school shirts, nearing the end of their school year.
The group of learners entered the centre and caused a noisy disturbance before wrecking a female shopper’s vehicle. They also reportedly stopped a delivery truck as well as a taxi, which managed to drive off.
As a result, a 19-year-old learner was nabbed after a case of malicious damage to property was opened at the Alberton SAPS.
Alberton SAPS and local security companies intervened during the incident and brought the situation to a halt.
According to business owner Kobus Labuschagne, who has worked in the area for over two decades, it was the first time for such an incident to ever occur.
“They stopped a female driver who was with her son and damaged her car. They also wanted to gain entry at a bottle store but didn’t succeed. I then stopped them. We can’t allow this, it’s not good for business. But I thank the school principal for handling this situation well,” he said.
Labuschagne also described the group of learners as having bad mannerisms and not caring.
He also said if this behaviour continues, it will affect businesses in the centre as customers will be hesitant to visit the centre.
A 54-year-old business owner said: “It was the first time they have done something like this. Two years ago, learners from this school were involved in a physical quarrel with one of the business owners.”
WATCH: A video showing a shopper’s vehicle being damaged by learners
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that the incident did indeed occur.
“The incident is alleged to have occurred after the Grade 12 pledge signing. These learners were engaged in what they call ‘Trash Day’, writing on their school shirts when the learners in question eventually got out of hand.
Disciplinary hearings have been scheduled for November 4 and 8 respectively for all learners involved in this unfortunate incident,” he said.
Mabona also assured the RECORD that they have also been in contact with the owner of the car.
Capt Manare Ramotshela, the spokesperson for Alberton SAPS, confirmed that a case was opened by the car owner following damages to her car.
“A 19-year-old boy was taken into custody and charged with malicious damage to property after the incident. Investigations are still underway. The group of learners jumped on top of the car and damaged its windscreen. It seems they were not violent but the damage to the car was severe,” he said.
