Doreen Mokgolo
The initiation school that was held in July was supposed to turn some Ekurhuleni boys into men.
But that was not the case.
Instead, they formed gangs while they were in the initiation school and became dangerous not only to their teachers at school, but also to their fellow learners and community members.
The two prominent rival gangs named themselves Amabutho and Boko Haram. Police and residents confirmed that the young boys have instilled fear in the society.
A tip-off to the police compelled the law enforcement agencies to raid the identified troubled schools in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
When police raided Asser Maloka Secondary School in Duduza, they were shocked to find learners in possession of toy guns, knives, packets of marijuana, cans of alcohol, cigarettes and other dangerous weapons.
The learners came back from the bush after surviving rogue initiation schools in July.
Duduza police spokesperson Sergeant Harry Manaka said some of the boys were kidnapped and forced to go through the initiation passage to manhood.
“We have received complaints from parents and teachers that the gang members are terrorising the schools, forcing other male learners to join them.
“They fight over clothing styles, territory and jargon,” he said.
Police were unable to arrest the learners at the school as some of the objects were found tossed on the floor and outside the classrooms.
Manaka said it was a common occurrence for the learners to throw the illegal belongings through the window or onto the floor when they see the police within the school premises.
Concerned parent Fikile Nzobe said his son was assaulted by a group of learners from a neighbouring school.
“They stripped him of his branded school bag and when he tried to fight back he was assaulted by the gang.
“His body was left black and blue with fractured ribs and arm and he had to seek medical care.” Local councillor Nzizwa Mekgwe said: “If we don’t fight gangs now, they are going to take over our communities and hold us at ransom,” he said.
