KZN school stabbing: Arrest of perpetrator is welcomed, but it’s time for lasting solutions

Issued by Sakhile Mngadi, MPL – DA KZN Spokesperson on Education
14 Nov 2024 in Press Statements

The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) strongly condemns the vicious attack on a 15-year-old learner at Ganges Secondary School in eThekwini, during what is alleged to have been a robbery involving a 17- year-old learner at the same school.

A learner was stabbed multiple times and left in a critical condition, after allegedly having refused to hand over his cell phone in what can only be described as a brutal mugging incident at this school.

The DA has consistently highlighted its concerns around safety and security in KZN’s schools and has called on the MECs, and KZN Department of Education (DoE), to ensure heightened security at schools, particularly those prone to violence.

We will now table written parliamentary questions to MEC Sipho Hlomuka around this issue in a bid to find lasting solutions such as the introduction of metal detectors and scanners at school entry points, where they are needed.

The DA calls on the DoE and schools to keep these environments safe and free from criminals, weapons and violence. We will further track this case at Wentworth Police station and welcome reports that the perpetrator has been found and arrested.

We expect the law to be applied to the perpetrator of this senseless crime – and for full legal consequences to follow.