There was tension outside Thrapolo High School between opposing groups of parents during an anti-crime protest on Monday morning.
- There was tension Monday outside Vereeniging School where a Year 10 pupil was stabbed to death last week.
- Some parents were there to protest the crime and others to make sure the demonstration did not disrupt classes.
- A man pulled a gun during an argument with a parent.
Parents of Thrapolo High School pupils looked on in horror as a man pulled a gun in the midst of an anti-crime protest outside Vereeniging School on Monday morning.
But parents quickly intervened to prevent the situation from getting worse.
Parents had gathered outside the school to protest the crime after grade 10 pupil Thabo Chapa, 20, was stabbed to death on Friday.
While they are protesting, another group of parents arrive to ensure that the demonstration does not disrupt school activities.
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As tension builds between them, one of the women hurls insults at some of the parents, prompting the man to approach her and remove the garden shovel she had in her possession.
She continued insulting, leading him to slap her before pulling out a gun.
But the other parents stepped in to try to calm them down.
The man eventually got into the car and drove off.
Parent Marie Bodib told News24 that she disliked teaching and learning disruptions, but added that she feared for her tenth-grade son’s safety.
She said:
My son told me what happened to his classmate. He was worried that Xaba’s friends would seek revenge. I’m here to make sure he’s safe if they leave early. My son is a coward and not involved in gangs. He was complaining about gangs fighting in this school. The government and the police must intervene before the matter escalates further.
Community patrols can be seen searching students’ bags as they enter the school.
They recovered knives, dagas, and other weapons from some of the disciples.
“We have been here since 07:00. The students arrived late. We searched and retrieved knives, daga and other weapons from their bags. This school needs urgent intervention. We don’t want to see more blood spilled,” said patrol guard Sithembiso Dlamini.
Knives were recovered from pupils at Thrapolo High School on Monday morning.
Ntwagai Seleka / News 24
An eyewitness reported that Khaba was stabbed three times outside the school.
The witness, a girl studying at the school, said that she and Zappa were on their way home when he was attacked by a pupil and boys who did not attend the school.
He was cornered by three boys. They claimed Xaba had taken earrings from one of them [assailants] said the girl.