Humansdorp Secondary: Four pupils critically injured in panga attack

Law enforcement officials have cordoned off the area surrounding Humansdorp Senior Secondary school, in the Eastern Cape, after four pupils were attacked by panga-wielding suspects, on Friday.

Humansdorp Senior Secondary: What we know about the incident

According to reports, Four pupils from Humansdorp Senior Secondary have been rushed to the Livingstone Hospital, in a critical condition, after they were allegedly attacked by a group of suspects.

The police were called to the scene after the violence broke out. While no official confirmation has come from authorities, on why the pupils were attacked, investigators believe the attack was gang-related.

Reports suggest that the group of suspects are aged between 14 and 18 years old and that the four injured pupils were allegedly targeted for not belonging to a gang that is active at Humansdorp Senior Secondary.

It's alleged that the gangsters attacked the learners because they were not affiliated to a gang. The gangsters are between the ages of 14-18 years old. #sabcnews

— Jayed-Leigh Paulse (@JayedLeigh) November 8, 2019

Four suspects were taken in for questioning. However, due to lack of any evidence to pin the incident on them, the four pupils were released to their parents.

Four cases of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm have been opened.

SAPS says four boys (ages between 16 – 18 years old) who were allegedly involved in the fight were questioned and released in the care of their parents. Four cases of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm will be opened and will be investigated. #sabcnews

— Jayed-Leigh Paulse (@JayedLeigh) November 8, 2019

Gang violence in schools on the rise

Gang-related violence is, as a matter of concern, on the rise in South African schools. Earlier in October, a pupil from Hillcrest Secondary School, in Mossel Bay, was stabbed by three boys, believed to be gang members.

In another shocking incident that took place in June, a Durban teacher from a school in Folweni was fatally shot by an “unknown male” that entered the premises and opened fire.

The trouble schools have is finding ways to heighten security at schools. Somehow, school pupils are allowed to carry dangerous weapons in their bags.

Often times, these are used against other learners who — whether by choice or association — are linked to rival gangs. Anti-gang awareness programmes have been launched, with millions in capital injection from the government, but little improvement has been seen.

The police, in this case, have not, at the time of publishing, issued any statements on the latest developments. This is a developing story.