POLOKWANE – This comes after video footage of school learners brandishing objects shaped like pangas during a street fight last Friday afternoon was shared on social media. In the footage a group of male learners is seen swinging at and chasing another learner with metal objects while the gathered crowd screams and scatters.
Spokesperson for the Department of Education Department, Sam Makondo says one learner was injured during the incident and nine learners have since been suspended.
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“The school learned through community members that some learners who were still in school uniform after school were involved in a street fight outside school premises. Because they were still in school uniform, the school made its priority to identify the learners who were involved and has since taken appropriate action by suspending them with immediate effect. Further investigation will reveal who was in the wrong.”
He added the department views this incident in a very serious light and condemns any form of violence both inside and outside the school.
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“This unfortunate incident is completely unacceptable in our communities and our schools and that’s why we prohibit the carrying of dangerous weapons in schools. Our learners are aware that our schools do not tolerate this conduct, hence this could only take place after and outside the school grounds.”
Makondo further thanked the residents of Mashashane community who alerted the school about this barbaric incident.