ACTING swiftly, Richards Bay SAPS arrested three 19-year-old learners linked to Friday’s violent fight at Richards Bay Secondary School.
Condemned by the KZN Department of Education, a video of the incident went viral shortly after the ZO broke the story.
According to King Cetshwayo SAPS Cluster Communications Officer, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, trouble among the learners in question started brewing last Thursday when they got into an argument on the bus while on the way to school.
‘On Friday at 11.45am the learners started fighting each other with bush knives, assaulting each other,’ said Mdlalose.
‘It is alleged that five learners, all boys, sustained multiple injuries.
‘All victims are aged between 16 and 18, and were sent to a clinic for medical attention.’
Assault cases were on Sunday opened at Richards Bay Police Station and the ensuing investigation led to the arrest of three 19-year-old suspects.
All appeared on Tuesday at Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court on charges of assault GBH (grievous bodily harm).
KZN MEC for Education, Mthandeni Dlungwana, on Monday visited the school and issued a stern warning to the learners.
‘We understand there are a few groups who have come together and call themselves ‘gangsters’. We will not allow it and we will crush you,’ said Dlungwana.
‘We want to help those who want to succeed and we will not allow criminality to occur among our learners.
‘We are not going to allow gangsters to rule this school.’
Echoing Dlungwana’s sentiments, ANC KZN Provincial Spokesperson, Mdumiseni Ntuli, called for urgent disciplinary action to prevent the school from becoming a ‘war zone’.
‘If not responded to with the concomitant punishment it deserves, this incident will have a negative, lifelong emotional and psychological impact on the victims.’
The suspects were released on R300 bail each and the case was remanded to 14 September.
ALSO READ: Video released of school violence in Richards Bay
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