Wentworth SAPS are investigating a case of attempted murder and robbery after a 17-year-old learner was accosted and stabbed inside a high school premises, in Merebank, on Wednesday morning.
Captain MP Gumede, Communications officer at Wentworth SAPS, said the learner was waiting outside the administration block when a fellow learner approached him and demanded a school bag from the victim.
“Upon refusing to hand over the bag, the suspect learner pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim on his chest and back.
A suspect, a learner (17) has been arrested, and criminal charges of attempted murder, robbery are being investigated,” Cpt Gumede said.
“The victim’s school bag which was taken forcefully was retrieved and handed back to him.
The victim who sustained stab wounds was transported to hospital for treatment by ALS Paramedics. SAPS Wentworth detectives are investigating the criminal charges,” added Cpt Gumede.
Speaking to the Merebank and Chatsworth Tabloid, the victim’s mother (who opted to remain anonymous) said her son is recovering but had to miss his exams due to his injuries.
“We were shocked to discover what had transpired. We are pleased that our son is in recovery but this kind of violence should never have occurred and should not be repeated. Right now our focus is on our son and his healing. We will address the matter in time,” said the victim’s mother.
PT Alarms and Vault security immediately responded to the scene and spokesperson for PT Alarms, Dhevan Govindasamy, said: “Upon arrival, we found the learner bleeding out. Emergency medical service providers responded swiftly and the learner was treated and stabilized on scene before he was rushed to hospital for urgent medical care.
The teen perpetrator fled the scene. PT Alarms Tactical Unit assisted to calm the situation and comforted the traumatized parents of the learner. The PT Alarms team is committed to the concept of maintaining safety in schools and we strive to work with police and other law enforcement units when searches are conducted and pertinent information shared at local schools.”
Yusuf Vawda, a community activist in the area said the senseless act of violence shook the community and has left the learners, staff and parents reeling in shock.
“As we come to terms with what transpired, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety and well-being of our children.
We urge all parents and community members to remain observant and report any suspicious behaviour to authorities. It is crucial that we work together to create a safe and supportive environment for our children to learn and grow. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated in our community, and we must stand united in condemning such acts of violence,” added Vawda.
He said the impact of such a traumatic event can have far-reaching consequences on the learners involved, their peers, and the broader school community.
“As a community, we must rally around our children, offering support and resources to help them navigate these challenging times. Let us work together to foster a culture of kindness, empathy, and understanding, ensuring that our schools remain safe havens for all,” Vawda said.
Muzi Mahlambi, Department of Education spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said the kind of violence that occurred amongst learners is concerning.
“We now have a situation where a learner has a criminal record. We commend the police for apprehending the perpetrator and we hope that this will serve as a deterrent to other learners that when you commit crime, there are consequences,” Mahlambi said.
