Violent incident at a Durbanville primary school sparks serious concerns
Concerns arise over the handling of a violent stabbing incident at Alfa Primary School in Durbanville, as civil society demands accountability and improved safety measures.
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Civil society within the Law and Human Rights Sector has raised serious concerns regarding the handling of a violent stabbing incident involving a learner at Alfa Primary School in Durbanville.
In a statement, Law and Human Rights Activist, Dr Chadrick Fortuin, said the learner at the primary school was also apparently treated as the suspect instead of the victim. They said on February 23 at approximately 10:00 am, a learner, Desmond Van Niekerk, was stabbed on the school premises, sustaining a serious injury approximately 2 cm from his heart. This could have resulted in a fatal outcome.
“According to the learner’s guardian mother, the school principal allegedly failed to activate emergency medical services following the incident,” Fortuin explained. “Instead, the parent was contacted and requested to fetch the injured learner from the school.
"The learner was subsequently taken to the Durbanville Clinic. The family has expressed serious concern that no ambulance was called and that the learner was not immediately transported to a hospital, despite the life-threatening nature of the injury.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed the case: “Be advised that the mentioned case number is an assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm case. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made yet.”
Fortuin raised further concerns, citing that during a disciplinary hearing held before the School Governing Body (SGB) on March 5, that the learner was allegedly treated as though he was the suspect instead of the victim. Fortuin, representing the Law and Human Rights sector within civil society, attended the disciplinary hearing to represent the learner.
“During the proceedings, it was alleged that the principal indicated that the learner had already admitted to the charges against him, despite the learner not being afforded a fair opportunity to present his version of events,” Fortuin’s statement detailed.
According to Dr Fortuin, had the Law and Human Rights sector not intervened, there was a real risk that the learner could have been wrongfully expelled.
He said additional concerns were that no WCED officials were present during the hearing
He said they demanded an urgent independent WCED investigation, a police investigation, verification into security personnel's registration and compliance and improved school safety protocols.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the school has confirmed that an altercation took place and ensured that the learner received prompt medical attention at a local day hospital.
She said: “The learner’s family was informed without delay and remained involved throughout.”
She added that it is not required for the WCED to be presented during a hearing, as the Disciplinary Committee of the SGB deals with breaches of the Code of Conduct.
Hammond added: “The disciplinary process has not yet been finalised – the outcome is pending. There is a criminal investigation, with the school cooperating with that investigation. The learner is currently suspended.”