Pupils of Empucukweni Secondary School went on a rampage demonstrating at the school before the start of school activities.
Pupils of Empucukweni Secondary School who went on a rampage demonstrating at the school on Tuesday, August 4 before learning could commence.
According to the police it is not clear what the problem was as the pupils threw stones and blocked the road. One of the teachers’ cars was damaged in the process. The police were called to the school on Tuesday, August 4 and it is believed the problem started at the school at 07:45.
The police reported that more than 400 pupils of the school were demonstrating and throwing stones after they said they were not satisfied with some issues at the school. The rear windscreen of a teacher’s car was badly damaged as well as the front one which had a crack after a stone was thrown at it.
Pupils of Empucukweni Secondary School demonstrating outside the school yard on the morning of Tuesday, August 4.
According to police all started when the children, some of which were not in uniform, inside the school yard disturbed the school routine for the day. It is said that police were called to the scene as it was obvious that the children were uncontrollable. The cause of the problem according to the police was that some pupils do not want to wear school uniforms and some want to have hair styles which are not approved by the school’s code of conduct. They were some allegations that were directed towards the principal.
One of the teachers’ car’s rear windscreen was badly damaged allegedly by the pupils.
No one has been arrested it is also believed that four window panes were damaged by the pupils.
The principal together with the teachers held a meeting to discuss the issues which led to the unruly behaviour. The police meanwhile maintained order inside and outside the school while some pupils were found waiting outside the school and others dispersed home.
No comment could be obtained from the school principal as they were in a meeting and the police promised that hopefully a statement would be issued after the meeting.
Meanwhile a strong police presence was seen at Witbank High School earlier this week. Police patrolled the school and kept an eye out for violent behaviour from learners after several violence related incidents occurred.
Learners broke the electric gate motor at Witbank High School on Tuesday, August 4.
On Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4 learners burnt dustbins in the school and also broke the electric gate motor at the school’s main gate.
A matric learner said this disruptive behaviour has an influence on learners who are preparing for exams.
“It is not really the matric learners who are acting out their anger, it is more grade eight and nines,” the learner said.
She went on and explained that there are no discipline left in the school and learners are demonstrating against the Acting Headmaster Mr Hamilton Tjatji and new systems he put in place.
On Tuesday a lengthy meeting took place between Tjatji and the school’s circuit manager Ms Mamsi Mahlangu. By the time of going to press there was no feedback from the school or the Department of Education.
