By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for stricter safety measures in and around schools after a matric pupil at Langenhoven High School in Pretoria was attacked and stabbed by unknown attackers outside the school premises.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the stabbing occurred outside the school on Friday afternoon when criminals targeted the pupil.
The matric pupil was stabbed four times by unknown suspects and is fighting for her life in hospital.
“This incident comes after numerous incidents have been reported over the last three years of learners, teachers, security guards and general workers being brutally attacked and assaulted outside the school premises,” says the DA’s Gauteng spokesperson for Community Safety, Crezane Bosch.
“These cases have been reported to both the Wonderboom and Central police stations and, still to date, there is no police visibility around the school to prevent crime and ensure the safety of the school and the surrounding community.”
No arrests have been made in connection with any of the incidents.
“There seems to be no surety as to which police station is responsible for the jurisdiction of the school as it is situated opposite the Pretoria Zoo on the border of Capital Park and Pretoria Central in Ward 58,” said Bosch.
“The perpetrators are believed to have settled on top of the mountain in Capital Park, from where they prey on their victims.
“The DA has inspected the area and demands that the Department of Community Safety launches a joint operation to monitor and clean up the area of any criminal elements.
“The department must also implement footpath patrols with horses during the week when children are at their most vulnerable.”
Bosch added that the party has also demanded an urgent intervention by the Gauteng Department of Education to ensure the safety of the school and its assets.