Students at a school in Sebokeng, Gauteng, were sent home on Friday, February 24, after violent demonstrations erupted following the stabbing of two boys in alleged gang violence.
According to reports, students from Dinokaneng Secondary School were sent home last week after villagers stoned buses and barricaded highways. Protests erupted in response to the death of one youngster and the hospitalisation of another in two separate incidents.
Matome Chiloane, MEC for Education in Gauteng, said the Grade 10 student from Dinokaneng Secondary School was killed on Thursday, February 23, at Westside Park, Sebokeng, reportedly by a fellow student. On Wednesday, February 22, a Grade 11 student from the same school was stabbed after a brawl at a local sports field late at night. He was hospitalised following the incident.
“According to the information we have, the incident is claimed to have happened after school outside the school grounds, and he was stabbed by a fellow pupil. The student was then transported to Sebokeng Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” Chiloane said in a statement.
The Gauteng Education Department issued a statement calling on residents to work with them to reduce violence in communities by working with schools.
Chiloane is expected to visit a Sebokeng school later today.