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School Violence: Teen stabbed by fellow Lenasia pupil

A Lenasia mother says she fears for her son's safety at school after he was stabbed in the neck by a fellow pupil. By PUSELETSO NTHATE.

A 16-year-old boy was allegedly not attended to by staff at the Azara Secondary School in Lenasia, Johannesburg despite the fact that he was bleeding from the neck after being stabbed by a fellow pupil on Tuesday.

Now, the child’s mother, Nthabiseng Magaseng has asked that the provincial education department assist her in finding another school for her son outside Lenasia, claiming that schools in the area were riddled with gangs.

On Tuesday, Kekeletso Magaseng was leaving the school yard with a friend when another pupil bumped into his friend. Kekeletso confronted the other pupil, whom he claims has been bullying them for some time,  and asked why he kept harassing them.

According to Magaseng, her son then turned and walked away, at which point he felt a pain in his neck.

“In his mind he thought it was a mere punch (but then he realised) he was bleeding,” she said.

Kekeletso and his friend ran to the school office to get assistance but he claims to have received none.

“I am deeply concerned with the school’s reaction. How do you keep a bleeding child in the office without police being called or taking him to the nearest clinic or hospital,” asked Magaseng.

While waiting for assistance, Kekeletso spotted his transport and made his way to it.

“As my son made his way to the transport the same boy that stabbed him was now  waiting for my son at the gate post with a group of boys from his township…Lord  knows what the intentions were.

“My child could have bled to death, he ended up with at least five stitches to the back  of his neck,” said Magaseng, adding that it was intolerable that learners carry knives  around school premises.

Lenasia police station spokesperson, Captain Mbalaheni Netshivhodza, said a 16-year old suspect had been arrested on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Netshivhodza said it was likely that he would be released into his parents custody.

Gauteng Department of Education spokesman, Steve Mabona, said they had been in  contact with Magaseng, the district and the school.

Mabona said the department had apologised to the parent about how the school  handled the incident, saying this would be addressed.

The department would also make arrangements for the child to write his  exams at another school.

“The learner can’t be in the same school with the perpetrator, and he will be  receiving a counselling at the chosen school,” said Mabona.

The perpetrator, said Mabona, would continue writing his exam but would face  a disciplinary committee and will be penalised accordingly.

According to the Schools Act, the carrying of weapons and being in possession of drugs and alcohol on school premises was not allowed.

Mabona said if a principal suspected that drugs or alcohol were on the premises, he or she was empowered to call in the police to conduct a search. This could be done without a warrant.

Magaseng is looking for a new school outside Lenasia for her son next year.

“I fear for his life because the perpetrator said he will finish him off in front of me,” she said. DM

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