News
Brakpan school stabbing: Probe launched into alleged discrimination after pupil killed
- The Department of Education has launched a probe into allegations of discrimination at a Gauteng school.
- Schooling remains disrupted after a pupil was stabbed to death outside the school by an adult.
- The suspect was called by pupils who clashed with the deceased on 2 February.
The Gauteng Education Department has launched an investigation following the death of a Grade 10 pupil at the Geluksdal Secondary School.
Classes were disrupted on Monday following the murder of Shawn Mphela last week.
Pupils, joined by their peers from schools in the neighbouring Tsakane township, marched and protested outside the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court, where the murder suspect appeared.
They chanted slogans and waved placards, demanding the court deny Ameeruddin Dino Prince, 35, bail.
“We are happy that the suspect appeared in court,” the department’s spokesperson Steve Mabona said.
He said pupils threatened to boycott classes until the suspect reappeared in court later this month but he appealed to parents to encourage their children to return to school on Tuesday.
“We can’t waste more time. Court processes could go on for some time until the matter is finalised. By not going to school, they are not assisting anyone. The matter might be postponed again later next month.”
Mabona also reassured the pupils that security had been increased at the school.
READ | Tensions run high as parents protest outside Brakpan school following pupil’s stabbing
He noted that the department was appointing an independent investigator following a list of allegations that parents and pupils had levelled against the school.
“Once that process has been achieved, the investigator will arrive at the school. We have also launched our internal investigation into allegations of discrimination. Some pupils have accused some teachers, and some school governing body members of perpetuating discrimination.
Parents gather outside Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan in protest.
“They have also complained about non-teaching. Some pupils claimed some teachers were not teaching them as expected.”
Prince appeared briefly in court facing a murder charge.
He was arrested after Mphela, 18, was stabbed outside the Geluksdal Secondary School on 2 February.
READ | Pupil stabbed to death at Gauteng school had suffered history of bullying, says family
It is alleged that three Grade 10 pupils used pepper spray on eight pupils during schooling hours.
The eight, including Mphela, confronted the trio, and they stopped.
Later as Mphela was heading home, he was attacked and stabbed outside the school, where he died.
Prince is expected back in court on 15 February.