Qalabotjha Secondary School murder: DA condemns violence and demands urgent interventions

18 November 2022

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, urgently intervene and ascertain the root of the cause of violence amongst the learners of Qalabotjha Secondary School leading to one learner being stabbed to death and one learner arrested.

The DA condemns in the strongest terms any form of violence amongst the learners. Qalabotjha learners sadly witnessed a blood bath yesterday when some of their schoolmates were involved in a vicious fight.

We condemn this hooligan behaviour amongst learners. No learner should be in possession of a weapon, particularly on school premises, as this jeopardises their safety and the safety of their peers.

The DA demands that MEC Chiloane must engage the school management and the School Governing Body (SGB) to find ways to curb violence in this school to ensure that it does not disrupt the matric examinations.

It is high time that the department implements an effective integrated school safety strategy which will involve different stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies, the Community Policing Forum (CPF), patrollers, parents, and community members to ensure the safety of all learners in all schools in the province.

The DA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and relatives of the deceased learner.

Issued by Khume Ramulifho, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, 18 November 2022