In August of last year, we reported on violence at Geluksdal Secondary School, which required police monitoring.
The school’s students are living in fear, a member of the school’s governing board informed us at the time.
In September of the previous year, parents shut down the school because, according to them, their worries about violence were not being addressed.
“We are exhausted because nothing is being done to ensure the safety of our children,”
We were told by a community spokesperson. In response to our request for comment, the Department of Education at the time minimized the gravity of the situation and practically denied its existence.
MPHELA’S STABBING
Now, in front of a residential residence directly across the street from the school, a memorial candle, a crimson ribbon, and an envelope mark the site where Shawn Mphela, age 18, died on February 2nd. He was in grade 10.
According to pupils, there was a pepper spraying incident between black and colored students during school hours earlier that day. The parties agreed to settle their dispute after school. A student who claims to have observed the fatal stabbing asserts that Shawn was killed during an after-school altercation in which adults were also involved.
On February 15, the accused, who is an adult and not a minor, will reappear in court.
In Geluksdal, Tsakane, and adjacent towns, students and community members have expressed displeasure and fury. They claim that the subject of school violence has been discussed at multiple meetings over the past year. Students also cited problems with drug peddling and poor discipline.
Portia Brink, a community spokesperson, states, “Last year, we presented the Department of Education with a memorandum addressing the same issues.”
“On the subject of violence, we requested that the police be continuously stationed outside the school after [an August incident]. But police were only present for a few days, and rumors of gangs and violence in the school continued. What happened to Shawn is proof that our children are not protected, as Brink explained.
Why did the agency have to wait until a death occurred before taking action? Samkhelo Mthethwa, president of the Pan Africanist Student Organization (PASO), was questioned.
“As a student organization, we have received reports of racism, violence, bullying, discrimination, and a lack of equipment at Geluksdal Secondary School,” he stated.
Mthethwa reported that PASO had brought these concerns to the attention of the district’s education officials, who had pledged to investigate, but nothing had been done.
He added that there are safety issues at further schools in Kwathema, Tsakane, and Duduza.
Monday, as the murder suspect appeared before the Tsakane Magistrate Court, students gathered outside the courthouse.
On Monday, dozens of students, headed by PASO, marched to the Tsakane Magistrate Court, where the murder suspect was making his initial court appearance.
PASO member Mpho Nkosi said,
“The Education Department and the police have failed us. We, as students, will take action in response to the lack of school safety. Shawn’s misfortune could have been avoided if the district director had listened to our advice. They never made any repairs. This problem of racism in the school may have been resolved by now.”
Mphela resided in Tsakane. Geluksdal Secondary School situated in a mostly black neighborhood. His passing has exacerbated racial tensions. Residents of Geluksdal claim they have received death threats from “racializing” Tsakane residents. Until the situation has settled down, some parents have chosen to keep their children out of school.
“In Geluksdal, racial tensions have existed for quite some time,” stated Thapelo Thobela of Kwathema Concerned Residents. “A principal was expelled due of their race. They are creating a hostile environment between blacks and people of color in that neighborhood. It seems as if we have returned to apartheid. These difficulties must be overcome in order to promote a pleasant school atmosphere between black and non-black kids.”
Selwyn Afrikander, a freshly elected SGB member, stated that meetings with Department of Education representatives were now taking place. He urged on South Africans to be together.
On Sunday, a delegation from the Department of Education addressed parents at the school, informing them that investigations into Shawn’s murder will soon commence and inviting anyone with pertinent information to come forward.
MONITORING AT SCHOOL
In the interim, security personnel have been assigned to the school, and the SAPS and Metro Police are monitoring the area.
Steve Mabona, a spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, did not respond to an inquiry regarding the department’s response to the incidents of the prior year.
In addition, Mabona returned responsibility to the school and the community:
“Schools are strongly encouraged to implement their codes of conduct to address bullying and other disciplinary issues… Although security has been increased, we urge parents and student organizations to collaborate with the Department to improve the situation at the school.”
Mabona stated that security had been increased “until the situation is calm,” that investigations had been initiated, and that an impartial law firm would be engaged to investigate claims of prejudice.
»Student from Geluksdal Secondary School was fatally stabbed«