The Gauteng Department of Education is mourning two learners after a Grade 8 pupil and a Grade 12 pupil were killed in separate stabbing incidents.
The victims, a 17-year-old Grade 8 learner from Forest High School and a Grade 12 learner from Daleview Secondary School, were attacked in unrelated incidents in Johannesburg and Ennerdale.
According to the department, the Forest High School learner was allegedly severely beaten and stabbed on Friday, March 20, at Rotunda Park near the school after classes. He sustained critical injuries and was initially rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to another facility, where he later died.
In a separate incident on Monday, March 23, a Grade 12 learner from Daleview Secondary School was fatally stabbed in an open veld while walking home from school.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the circumstances surrounding both attacks remain under police investigation.
“The learner sustained severe injuries during the incident and was initially rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to another hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.”
He added that the department had been informed that the Daleview learner was stabbed between the school and a nearby store while walking home.
Mabona said psycho-social support services have been mobilised and will be provided to affected learners, educators and the bereaved families as the communities grapple with the trauma.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane described the incidents as a devastating blow to the education sector.
“This is a deeply painful loss for our education community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and both school communities affected by these tragedies. Violence against our learners, whether within or outside school premises, is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
“We call on communities to work closely with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, and to stand united in protecting our children so that our schools remain safe spaces for teaching and learning,” Chiloane.
The Star
