Principal stabbed trying to defuse clash between Hoërskool Roodepoort and West Ridge High School

947’s Anele and the Club speaks with Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane.

Listen below: 

The principal of Hoërskool Roodepoort was stabbed in the hand after trying to defuse a violent clash between learners from her school and others from West Ridge High School.

Three learners were hospitalised, and 22 learners were suspended.

Learners from the two schools reportedly first clashed on Friday (15 August), and learners from West Ridge allegedly returned to Hoërskool Roodepoort on Monday (18 August) to retaliate.

The two Johannesburg schools have been in a rivalry that has gone absolutely too far, says Anele.

“How many punches you swung doesn’t matter as to how many points you are going to get when it's time for you to further your future… And to the parents who are protecting the kids, you are just as bad.” 

– Anele Mdoda

“Which teacher must turn around with their backs to the class when your kids are carrying knives to school?” 

– Anele Mdoda

Chiloane says cases have been opened with the police, and a disciplinary hearing will follow, where the learners could be expelled.

“We can’t have these types of kids in our schools and nothing happens.” 

– Matome Chiloane, MEC for Education – Gauteng Government

He adds that, unfortunately, incidents like these happen across the province.

Parents need to take responsibility for their children and discipline them.

“I’ve got parents who, when their kids have been found guilty of certain things that they have done in school, they actually appeal and say their children didn’t do it. And I get really surprised.”

– Matome Chiloane, MEC for Education – Gauteng Government