Racism cited as reason for school violence – others blame missing phone

A video of the altercation between learners surfaced on social media on November 16 and prompted Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi to visit the school on November 17.

November 27, 2020

Busi Vilakazi 2 minutes read

School governing body chairperson Marius Kuilder and Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi address the media during his visit at Hoërskool Elspark after two learners were stabbed during an incident of school violence.

The Hoërskool Elspark school violence incident, which saw two learners being stabbed, sparked emotions among learners and concerns were raised by parents.

A video of the altercation between learners surfaced on social media on November 16 and prompted Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi to visit the school on November 17.

It is alleged the conflict started brewing on Friday when a learner’s cellphone went missing.

According to learners GCN spoke to, the phone was stolen from a phone box.

“One of the learners had her cellphone taken from the phone box where we keep our phones when we are writing exams,” said a learner who spoke to GCN.

“When we asked around the school about the phone, some learners said it was taken by a learner. We could not confront the boy identified as he had already left by that time.”

ALSO READ:

Lesufi “disturbed” by stabbing incident at Hoërskool Elspark

On Monday afternoon a video showing several learners at the school involved in a fight surfaced online.

Two Grade 11 learners sustained stab wounds and one had to get stiches. GCN was told the second learner almost lost a finger and needed surgery.

Learners cited racism as the cause of violence, while others said it emanated from the missing cellphone.

“Black learners in the school experience racism almost every day. Maybe others saw this fight as an opportunity to fight back. We don’t know how the fight started but we saw a group of boys fighting and someone taking out a knife,” a learner told GCN.

Following his meeting with the school, Lesufi told the media he does not believe the incident resulted from racism at the school.

“We don’t have all the facts yet and we await all those involved and those with information to come forward. The school needs to collect its own evidence. We cannot jump to conclusions,” said Lesufi.

Lesufi met with the school governing body (SGB) and school management to identify a way to manage the case going forward.

“I have instructed the school to collect all the evidence and to give me something tangible on the issue by November 20,” said the MEC.

SGB chairperson Marius Kuilder said the board was aware of rumours about racism at the school.

“But we have not seen incidents of racism,” he said.

“We will investigate as to what led to the fight and the allegations of racism. We don’t support racism in our school at all. We may seem like an Afrikaans school (only) but we are not. It is just our name that is Afrikaans.

“Over the years it has changed and we welcome every learner who comes into the school,” said Kuilder.

Lesufi said he was aware of racism allegations made by learners and parents.

“I am also aware that these learners and parents did not want to make statements on the issue.

“I hate racism. Everyone knows that. I will not make statements when I don’t have all the facts yet.

“I would be naïve to think a school, going through transition, would not have racial tension. If the school needs support, we will offer it to them as the department,” said Lesufi.

He said the department also provided the services of a physiologist to the school to assist learners who maybe be affected by the incident.