By Doreen Mokgolo
The family of the Geluksdal Secondary School learner who was stabbed to death, allegedly by racist gang members, believes the police and school failed their son.
17-year-old grade 10 pupil Shaun Mphela was stabbed outside the school premises while he was on his way home on Thursday.
The school, in Tsakane, is the only secondary school providing Afrikaans as a subject in a predominantly coloured community. Learners who are not coloured are allegedly targeted by gangs.
On Thursday, a fight allegedly started after three pupils started pepper spraying other learners during school hours.
Shaun and other learners cautioned the group, but they threatened to finish the fight outside the school grounds.
The gang allegedly alerted older gang members – aged 30, 31 and 35 – to wait outside the school grounds. They allegedly attacked the boys while they were on their way home.
One suspect was badly assaulted by learners and the other two managed to flee the scene.
On Friday morning, the pupils went on a search for the suspects and vandalised one of the houses where one of the men was hiding.
The father of the dead boy, Seun Mahlangu, said he had reported three cases of assault, intimidation and grievous bodily harm by the same gang on behalf of his son.
“Every second month since last year, I had to go to the school to complain about the threats and bullying.
“In September I had to come to collect him from school because the gang members were waiting for him outside the school premises, threatening his life,” he told Scrolla.Africa.
The father says when he complained to the school about the safety of his son, teachers told him that they don’t get involved in gang fights.
During his visit to the school, Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Shiloane said he was disappointed that the school is still battling racial segregation.
“We will appoint security guards to ensure the safety of learners and engage the community,” he said.
On Friday, the father said he had been planning to remove his son from the school and had received an acceptance message from the FET College on Thursday.
Tsakani police spokesperson Sergeant Lerato Mngomezulu confirmed that the three older suspects have been arrested and will appear before the Springs Magistrate’s Court.
Pictured above: Shaun Mphela
Image source: Supplied
