Africa-Press – South-Africa. GroundUp reported on violence at Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan, Gauteng, last August, when the police had to be called in to monitor the school.
“Our children learning at the school are living in fear,” a member of the school governing board told GroundUp at the time.
In September last year, GroundUp again reported on the situation when parents shut down the school because they said their concerns about violence were not being addressed.
“We are tired because nothing is being done, and there is a safety threat facing our children,” a community representative told us.
At the time, the Department of Education downplayed the seriousness of the situation and was almost in denial when GroundUp asked for comment.
Now, a spot outside a home opposite the school, a candle, a red ribbon and an envelope mark the scene where 18-year-old Grade 10 pupil Shawn Mphela died on 2 February.
According to pupils, there had been a pepper spray incident earlier that day between black and coloured students during school hours. The pupils promised to finish their fight after school. A pupil who said they witnessed the fatal stabbing said Shawn was stabbed in the after-school fight and that some adults were also involved.
The accused in Shawn’s murder – an adult – will appear in court again on 15 February.
Pupils and residents of Geluksdal, Tsakane and surrounding areas have expressed anger and outrage at the situation. They said in the past year the issue of violence at the school was raised at several meetings. Pupils had also reported issues of drug dealing and ill-discipline.
“Last year, we handed over a memorandum to the Department of Education addressing the very same issues,” said Portia Brink, a community representative.
Brink said:
“Why did the department have to wait until someone’s death to act?” asked Pan Africanist Student Organisation (PASO) chairperson Samkhelo Mthethwa.
“Issues of racism in school, violence, bullying, discrimination and shortage of equipment at Geluksdal Secondary School have been reported to us as a student organisation,” he added.
Mthethwa said PASO raised these issues with district education officials, who promised to investigate, but nothing was done.
There were also safety concerns at other schools in KwaThema, Tsakane and Duduza, he said.
On Monday, dozens of students demanding “justice for Shawn”, led by PASO, marched to the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court, where the murder suspect was appearing for the first time.
“The Department of Education and the police are failing us. There is no security at schools, and we, as students, are going to take action. What happened to Shawn could have been prevented if the district director had listened to us. They never fixed anything. This issue of racism in the school could be behind us by now,” PASO member Mpho Nkosi said.
Shawn lived in Tsakane, and Geluksdal Secondary School is located in a previously predominantly coloured area. His death has further stoked racial tensions.
Residents of Geluksdal said they received threats from residents of Tsakane who were “racialising things”.
Some parents have opted to keep their children out of school until the situation has calmed down.
“Racial tensions have been brewing in Geluksdal for a long time,” said Thapelo Thobela from KwaThema Concerned Residents.
“A principal was chased away because they were black. They are creating a situation of hatred between blacks and coloureds in that community. It’s as if we’ve gone back to apartheid. These issues must be resolved to create a harmonious environment between black and coloured students in the school.”
Selwyn Afrikander, a newly elected SGB member, said meetings were being held with delegates from the Department of Education. He called for unity among South Africans.
On Sunday, a delegation from the education department addressed parents at the school and said they would soon begin investigations into Shawn’s death. They also invited anyone with valuable information to come forward.
Meanwhile, security guards have been deployed at the school while police and metro police officers are monitoring the area.
Asked what had the department had done following last year’s incidents, Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona did not answer the question. Mabona also shifted responsibility to the school and the community.
“Schools are urged to enforce their codes of conduct to deal with bullying and other disciplinary matters… Although security has been beefed up, we call on parents and learner organisations to work with the department for the betterment of the situation at the school.”
Mabona said security would be enhanced “until the situation is calm” and investigations had been launched. He added that an independent law firm would be appointed to investigate allegations of discrimination.
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