UPDATE: Gangsterism in Vlakfontein schools an ongoing issue

Gangsterism in Vlakfontein schools has been an ongoing issue that the ward councillor and the community have been struggling to resolve. A school pupil in the area was stabbed to death in a fight on Thursday afternoon. It is suspected the conflict is gang-related.

VLAKFONTEIN IS A VIOLENT CRIME HOTSPOT WITH ISSUES OF GANGSTERISM IN SCHOOLS

Gauteng MEC of Education Matome Chiloane visited the family of a pupil who was stabbed during a fight and subsequently died.

Ward 122 councillor Sthembiso Zhungu also joined the visit.

Zhungu said gangsterism in the two schools in the area has been an ongoing problem. He has been working with the schools, Qalabotjha Secondary School and Tshepo Ya Rona Secondary School, since 2018 to intervene on the issue, he said.

“This rival gang has been ongoing for quite some time. Last time I had to get assistance from community members to assist the school. It died down last year until early this year when this thing emerged again. We also tried to get assistance from SAPS even though their response is slow. I believe they could have done better on the day.”

Sthembiso Zhungu

The councillor said he was out of town when he received the news. He rushed to the scene and arrived two hours later. But by that time, police had still not arrived, said Zhungu.

He says the area of Vlakfontein has been battling crime for a while.

“It has come to a point where we might have to march to the police station to try to get some attention because the crime in this area has been very bad.”

Police however arrested a Grade 11 pupil who is charged with the murder. The 21-year-old was traced and found later that day. He will be spending the weekend in police custody and will appear before the Lenasia Magistrates Court soon.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Grade 11 pupil arrested for KILLING fellow learner

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VISITS FAMILY OF DECEASED LEARNER

The Grade 11 boy from Qalabotjha Secondary School was stabbed in a fight. The brawl broke out between a group of boys.

The MEC says the family was pained by the loss of their son.

“They have really expressed how they felt on the loss… the child that has passed on was a wonderful child. What we have heard from the family is that they are really aggrieved and in pain and we need to make sure we support them during this particular period,” said the MEC.

He said the Gauteng Education Department must put certain measures in place to prevent such incidents instead of reacting like in this case.

ALSO READ: Gauteng pupil STABBED to death in after-school ‘gangsterism’ fight

“A school is a reflection of the community. If the community is in a particular state, you will see by the school as the children come from the community.”

The family has declined to give comment or provide a photo and details of their son.