Three pupils stabbed following alleged misunderstandings and gang-related disputes

THE stabbings of three pupils in two separate fights in schools in Chatsworth and Waterloo have sparked concern - with stationery, like pens, scissors and compasses, as well as steak and bush knives often becoming the weapons of choice. 

On Wednesday, a Grade 12 pupil at a Moorton school in Chatsworth was allegedly stabbed three times in the head with a pen by a peer following a misunderstanding.  

In a school in Waterloo, near Verulam, two pupils were stabbed with knives yesterday during an alleged gang-related dispute that began earlier this week.

Claude Subramodey, the spokesperson for Amawele Emergency Services, said they are seeing more incidents where schoolchildren assault each other with stationery, such as pens, scissors and compasses.

“The victim at the Moorton school sustained deep puncture wounds to his head and was bleeding profusely. We managed to stop the bleeding and the boy needed further care at a hospital. His parents came to the school and opted to transport him to the hospital,” he added.

Subramodey said that since the start of the school year, they have responded to at least two cases of assault at schools each week. He said schoolchildren were using any available objects to injure others during fights.

“Children are using their stationery to stab others. We urge parents to teach their children right from wrong and to avoid harming others. This will curb the increasing number of incidents at schools. If this does not stop, it will be a matter of time before a life is lost. Parents need to take responsibility for their children to put an end to this,” he added.

Prem Balram, the head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said they are also seeing an increase in school fights that leave pupils with serious injuries.

When they responded to the fight in Waterloo, he said they found two pupils had sustained stab wounds and two other pupils involved in the fight had fled the school before their arrival.

“We are seeing mostly steak and bush knives being used as weapons in schools in the north. Fights are usually related to relationships or drugs where the victims or suspects from schools bring outsiders who are adults. Gangs come in car-loads and taxi-loads to assault pupils outside schools. 

“What concerns me is that many parents support their children who engage in illegal activity, bullying, and intimidation, which leads to stabbings and violent assaults. When confronted with the situation, some parents immediately show support even when their children are in the wrong. This encourages children to continue to do these acts.

“Parents should consult professionals if they feel kids are involved in drugs, stabbing incidents and bullying. Children need to remove themselves from any situation that could escalate to a fight or assault,” Balram added. 

THE POST