Yet again, school safety has come under the spotlight following a violent altercation at Matshediso Primary School in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni on Monday.
In the video that was posted on social media, depicting a popular Pastor who cannot be named until he and three others have appeared in court, is seen threatening teachers from the school with pangas.
He is seen threatening teachers with his panga while one of the men who has been identified as his relative, is seen dragging away two learners who can be heard crying. A third man is seen armed with a rifle while walking besides the Pastor.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has condemned the violence that happened at the school, with Minister Siviwe Gwarube calling on key stakeholders to make schools violence-free zones.
In a statement, Gwarube said that the intervention and collaboration from law enforcement agencies, community policing forum, provincial education officials and communities is needed to prevent violent incidents from occurring at schools.
“Educators and learners can’t be expected to perform optimally when they are subjected to the risk of such senseless violence at any moment,” said Gwarube.
“It is for this reason that we engaged with Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu to ensure that the South African Police Services (SAPS) investigates this matter urgently. We need to understand the facts and then ensure appropriate action is taken,” she adds.
According to the handbook on the safety and security of teachers at schools by the South African Council for Educators (SACE), up to 20% of South African teachers believe that schools are violent places where learners and other staff members are suspected to be armed with dangerous weapons.
General Manager at the Public Servants Association (PSA), Reuben Maleka expressed “disgust” over the “barbaric” and “thuggery” conduct of the Pastor, adding that the video is a reminder of the dangers teachers face every day at schools.
“Learners and teachers are often violently robbed of their belongings by thugs and we often get safety concerns from various schools across the country. It is imminent that school security is given immediate attention and schools become a free crime environment conducive for learning and teaching,” says Maleka.
To improve safety at schools and deter criminals from gaining access to the teachers and learners, Maleka says that schools must be allocated proper security management systems and linked to a Police Station for constant monitoring and surveillance.
The Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation department deployed psycho-social support services to offer trauma counseling for the learners and teachers who were affected by the incident.
The Pastor and three others have been arrested and are expected to appear at the Palm Ridge Magistrate court tomorrow where they are facing various charges that include assault, malicious damage to property, intimidation, reckless handling of a firearm, endangering the lives of others and the unregistered offering of security services.