The family of a grade 10 Brookdale Secondary School pupil fatally stabbed outside the school gates want the government to focus on safety and security at schools in Amawoti and Phoenix, north of Durban.
Fifteen-year-old Siyabonga Mngomezulu's death fuelled protests by pupils who boycotted classes on Monday.
Siyabonga's aunt Nompumelelo Malinga said they were told about the stabbing by a fellow pupil.
“We are confused and in the dark because everyone comes with their own version. We have resigned ourselves to accept what has happened for now.”
She said he told his mother in November he had been in a fight with another boy.
“We think this could have been a revenge attack. Maybe Siya tried to fight so he did not appear weak in front of his peers,” she added.
Mngomezulu died at Pixley ka Seme Hospital on Saturday.
He was the eldest of three children who lived with his mother in a rented cottage in Amawoti.
“He was very handy and resourceful at home and doted on his younger siblings. He would cook and iron clothes for his siblings,” said Malinga.
A security guard at the school told TimesLIVE Premium discipline was an issue and many of the pupils were “unruly”.
“It is hard not to discipline them myself. We find all manners of things when we search them routinely, but they breach security by going over the fence.”
He had confiscated dagga and a sharp object during an earlier search.
School principal Goodman Mkhize said he was traumatised by the incident, which happened while he was away at a school meeting.
“While at the meeting I could not meaningfully participate because my mind was elsewhere.
“There are rumours suggesting the child was killed on the school premises and teachers did not take action. That is not true, teachers were concerned,” said Mkhize.
It is hard not to discipline them myself. We find all manners of things when we search them routinely, but they breach security by going over the fence.
— School security guard
A police officer close to the investigations confirmed a teenager was arrested on Sunday and an investigation was under way to find accomplices.
School governing body (SGB) chair Sibusiso Mkhize said: “We planned to meet as the management of the school. As we sat, we heard concerns being ventilated, some of which are not true.”
Among these were claims about a lack of sympathy from teachers, but teachers denied this and said some pupils were selling and using drugs from a known drug den near the school.
“After sitting with management we resolved the school would resume tomorrow [Tuesday] with security measures in place,” said Sibusiso Mkhize.
There are seven vacant teacher posts, but enrolment is high with more than 1,000 pupils.
“We managed to get some of the SGB posts teachers, but they don’t earn enough [and] some go months without earning.” .
Education department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi condemned the incident.
“We are disturbed by this incident. We urge parents and guardians to ensure they teach their children about the dangers of violence. Parents must help us.”
Mahlambi said he was relieved a suspect has been arrested.
“The person needs to get the punitive sentence they deserve. We extend our sympathy to the grieving family,” said Mahlambi.
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