Violent attacks at George Khosa leave learners shaken

Chaos erupted on Tuesday morning at George Khosa High School in Dobsonville when a group of armed boys terrorized learners and teachers with guns, pangas and okapi knives.

The unknown four boys arrived with the dangerous weapons and forced open the gates at the school and launched towards the classrooms where some of the learners had hidden under tables.

“These boys came in and started chasing the entire school.

“Learners and teachers started running amok out of fear. The boys waved their weapons, threatening everyone.

“We managed to call the police and patrollers, but the boys managed to run away,” explains SBG member Lizzy Masia.

Masia adds that the unknown group of boys disappeared outside the school and reappeared in a large group of about 11 boys, shouting that they were heading to P.J. Simelane High School.

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It is understood that one of the learners at the school was then beaten by fellow learners who claimed he knew the gang.

It was during this scuffle that one learner was stabbed twice at the back and was rushed to the Dobsonville clinic while a teacher sustained an ankle injury.

Masia said they believed the incident was gang related or a syndicate terrorising local schools.

According to reports, this was not the first time the incident had occurred at George Khosa, with police previously arresting a gang for a similar incident.

“We suspect the attack is gangsterism related because from what we gather even yesterday, they were at a nearby school,” She said.

“We feel that the school is vulnerable and not safe. We need to beef up security because there is clearly something amiss. We fear for the teachers and the learners.”

Parents told Urban News that in the previous terms, an unknown group traveling in a quantum was driving outside the school, shooting live rounds of ammunition.

“We came to fetch our child when we heard about this. We are scared and feel that the school is not safe for our children. What if they come back and this time a student gets killed?” said a distressed parent.

The family of the stabbed learner spoke to Urban News and said they were informed about the incident by one of the learners at the school.

“He told us that this gang came to him and another learner and asked them where they could find a certain person. They responded, and the gang left immediately.

“He says he got stabbed while learners at the school were hitting his friend, who was accused of knowing the gang. The person who stabbed him was not from the school and was not wearing school uniform,” explains the uncle, whose identity cannot be revealed for safety reasons.

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According to the family, they had learned from their nephew that some of these boys who attacked the school are from where they stay in Braamfishcherville.

“We have many questions, especially how they gained entry. We feel the school is not safe. What is more disappointing is that they took him to the clinic and failed to alert us of what was happening.

“We were surprised to see that he was dropped back at school without us knowing which is a concern because what if the person who stabbed him returned to finish the job. They were supposed to call us and let us know where to fetch him.”

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He said the family would be opening a formal case with the SAPS.

Urban News is awaiting a comment from the Gauteng Department of Education.