Phoenix police are investigating a case of assault after a Grade 11 learner at Solvista Secondary School was beaten with a knuckle duster by a large group of his peers on school premises on Wednesday, 9 October. The incident left the victim traumatised and unable to attend school as he slowly recovers from the vicious attack.
The 18-year-old, who did not want to be named, sustained injuries to his head and received several stitches on his neck, arms, face, chest and stomach. Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, the learner said he was attacked by more than 15 boys from various grades just before 8am on the morning of the incident. “I arrived at school and was told by other learners that there’s a group of boys that were looking for me. I went to one of the school’s blocks to find out who was looking for me. When I got there, a large group of boys began to intimidate me – within a few seconds one of the boys punched me on the eye, another punched me with a knuckle duster and before I knew it, I was being attacked by over 15 boys. I was punched, kicked and slapped repeatedly for some time before a teacher came to my aid. I was bleeding from all over and had to be taken to the school office for my parents can be contacted.”
He said the assault may have stemmed from a conversation that he had with a friend the day prior, “I had been talking and joking with my friend the day before the incident when one of the boys who attacked me asked, “Why are you talking to my cousin like that?”. My friend immediately told him that’s how we joke around. I was assaulted over something very petty.”
The victim’s father added that the school had a history of violence, bullying and intimidation among learners.
“Learners at the school carry various weapons and as a parent I ask myself why are learners being allowed to enter the school premises with dangerous weapons that can cause harm to their peers or even educators at school. I’ve been at the school for several days since my son’s incident and discovered that some learners were found in possession of tasers. It’s the responsibility of the school to ensure that the kind of assault my son endured within the school premises, during school hours, does not happen. The idea of forming cliques to bully vulnerable learners is not acceptable and should be dealt with as it is becoming a major concern in our schools. I feel that this school in particular is failing dismally when it comes to the safety and security of its learners,” said the irate father.
“The learner that assaulted my son with a knuckle duster and caused serious injuries to his body is an adolescent and must be dealt with accordingly. This attack was orchestrated, it was never a spontaneous attack, they planned and set it up, that’s why they lured him down to the block and ganged up on him. We have opened a case with SAPS and hope that this matter is not taken lightly, he must be prosecuted for this heinous crime. I will go further to make claims from his parents and the department of education. The school must also take the necessary steps to ensure that my child and other learners feels safe at school again. Parents should know what’s going on in schools so they can be more vigilant with their kids and ensure that their kids don’t carry any weapons to school and are well behaved and disciplined,” the father said.
SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the incident. He said, “Police in Phoenix are investigating a case of assault with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm, following an incident in which an 18-year-old boy was allegedly assaulted by his school mates on Sunford Drive on Wednesday, 9 October.”
