Several learners were injured last week in two violent incidents at schools in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, prompting swift intervention by police and strong condemnation from the provincial education department.
The first incident occurred on 22 August outside Trenance Park Secondary School in the Pinetown District where a Grade 10 learner was attacked during school hours.
According to officials, the 17-year-old was stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife by two Grade 8 learners.
KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for education Sipho Hlomu said the student underwent emergency surgery and is currently recovering in hospital.
The two suspects were apprehended by private security and handed over to the South African Police Service, which has launched a formal investigation.
In a separate incident the same day, a mass brawl involving learners from Esther Payne Smith Secondary School in the Northdale Circuit, uMgungundlovu District, left two students injured.
Hlomu condemned the incidents and said his department is working closely with law enforcement to ensure accountability and prevent further harm.
“As a department, we condemn school violence, it has no place in our learning environments and in our communities.”
JN/APA