A 13-year-old learner was allegedly stabbed by his fellow schoolmate on September 21 at a primary school in Daveyton.
Etwatwa SAPS spokesperson Sgt Khensani Mathebula confirmed a case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm was opened at the station and the case is being investigated by the Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence (FCS) Unit.
Director of the Lakeview Hospital Casualty Unit Owen Manhire said Ralmed Emergency Services was called to the school to attend to the learner.
“Paramedics found the learner had been stabbed in the head and was lying in the school’s sickbay. He was described as a victim of bullying.
“Details of the fight are still not clear but the boy was rushed to the Netcare Lakeview Hospital casualty unit, where he received further medical care,” said Manhire.
“The Daveyton learner is recovering well.
“This incident comes after Ekurhuleni police raised concerns regarding the use of drugs and weapons in Daveyton schools. A surprise raid was conducted by the Daveyton SAPS, Ekurhuleni social workers, EMPD and the CPF at some of the schools last week.”
Manhire said the combined efforts of all parties involved led to the discovery of dagga, drugs and weapons. Concerns have been raised around the fact that learners are carrying illegal weapons, which play an active role in bullying at schools.
“Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida recently published a book that tackles bullying among children. The reigning queen shares her experience with bullying in Shudu Finds Her Magic,” he said.
She will be embarking on a nationwide tour to promote the book and has revealed that for every copy sold, one would be donated to a school.
“However, Miss SA is not the only one joining the fight to end bullying. The South African Democratic Teachers Union launched the I Am A School Fan campaign at Lakeview Primary School in Soweto. The campaign aims to mobilise parents, teachers, learners and government departments to address school-related violence in all forms and bring an end to all of it.
The hospital’s casualty unit is participating in the anti-bullying school campaigns and is running a competition to select 20 teachers to receive free first-aid training.
All interested participants can drop off their motivational letters at the Lakeview Hospital casualty unit between September 28 and October 27.
The successful candidates will be contacted.
