Hoërskool Elspark parents are not impressed with how the school managed the November 16 school violence incident when two learners were also stabbed and later hospitalised.
Parents told GCN they became aware of the incident through social media.
“The school has not handled the incident properly. Why were parents not informed as soon as the incident happened?” said one of the parents, Nthabiseng Tshivhenga.
Both families of the boys also expressed dissatisfaction.
GCN spoke to the family of 17-year-old boy Zwelibanzi Vezi, a Grade 11 learner who was stabbed and hospitalised.
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Lesufi “disturbed” by stabbing incident at Hoërskool Elspark
“My brother was stabbed a couple of times at school. He almost lost his finger when he was attacked by one of the learners. He went to the reception area to ask to call an ambulance as he had left his phone at home. He was not helped,” said his sister, Keleabetswe Lerato Mpye.
“Fortunately, a parent who was at the school to fetch her child saw my brother and immediately rushed him to hospital,” said Mpye.
“The school only called my mother to say she needs to come to school on Tuesday morning as my brother was a witness to ‘something big’.”
Zwelibanzi’s mother, Albertina Vesi, said she is focused on her son’s recovery.
“I do not understand why this happened. We are not sure if this was a racial attack on not. I’m not going to say anything until we have facts. My focus is on my son,” said Albertina.
The parents of the second boy who was stabbed said he too had to get stitches.
“It could have been worse. We are grateful he is okay,” said the boy’s father, JP van Coppenhagen.
The family said they are concerned about their son’s safety.
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“We were shocked to learn that the school did not even have a proper first-aid kit. By the time we got to school to take him to hospital, they had used sellotape to stop the bleeding,” said van Coppenhagen.
The parents of both boys expressed disappointment at the school’s management of the incident.
“This should have not happened. The problem started last week Friday and escalated into the new week. I feel the school failed to handle the actual cause of this whole mess. My son was defending his friend from getting hurt,” said van Coppenhagen.
He urged the school to ensure learners’ safety.
Both learners are taking some time off school to heal.
Zwelibanzi’s finger was reattached during surgery on November 17.
Elsburg SAPS opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
No arrests have been made.
“The police are investigating circumstances that led to the stabbing of the two learners. It was reported that two learners, aged 16 and 17, were injured and taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Police will obtain statements from eye witnesses and the victims in the presences of their parents or guardians,” said Elsburg SAPS spokesperson Const Daphney Phooko.
Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi met with school representatives including the SGB on November 17.
“All allegations raised by parents among others that there was a lack of care and assistance from the school employees will be investigated,” said Steve Mabona, the spokesperson Gauteng Department of Education.
“The SGB launched an investigation which will lead to the identification of the culprit and necessary disciplinary action will be taken.”
Lesufi also called on anyone who alleges that there is racism at the school to provide information.
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Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
