Kraaifontein parents seek help to end fighting between pupils
Kraaifontein parents are seeking help to end an ongoing fight between pupils from Masibambane Secondary and Bloekombos Secondary schools.
Community activist Linda Pito said the boys are from Section 19/20 and Section 14 (Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Bloekombos).
He said the pupils feared walking to and from school as this is when fights break out.
“Some of the parents from Section 14 have resorted to accompanying their children to school in the morning and fetching them in the afternoon, while some parents have arranged transport for their children,” said Mr Pito.
He said they have been to Kraaifontein police station several times and met with the station commander to ask for help.
“We have not seen any action from the police regarding this matter, and the parents haven't seen any police car patrolling near school, since the police were given the times of when the schools are dismissed,” said Mr Pito.
He said as a community they wish to see intervention from the police and department of education. He said the community and parents have not been able to establish the reason for the fighting as the boys blame each other.
A Bloekombos mother, who did not want to be named as she feared for the safety of her son, said the feud between the pupils has become stressful.
“In the morning we walk our children to school, and in the afternoon we wait for them because the other group has axes and weapons. When we don’t fetch them after school, you would hear that they were chased.”
She said her son recently came home limping after he was chased and had a stone thrown at him.
“As you can see I was working the night shift, and I had to wait for my son then walk with him to school then go to bed, but by 2pm I must be here to fetch him,” said the mother.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said there were incidents in March involving pupils from the two schools.
Both schools addressed this with the pupils concerned and their parents. The schools requested additional police patrols in the mornings and afternoons, and for increased police visibility.
The department said there were also community meetings arranged with police and local community policing forums and the situation is currently stable. The schools often meet together for extra-curricular activities. The WCED said it appreciates the combined effort by the schools, community and policing and law enforcement to address the matter.
Northern News asked Kraaifontein police for a comment but we did not receive one by the time this story was published. We will publish the response when we receive it.
