The Provincial Department of Basic Education in KwaZulu-Natal has launched an investigation, following a fight that broke out at Effingham Secondary School in Durban on Friday between security officers and pupils.
Normal school day activities were brought to halt and suspended at Effingham Secondary School in Durban after a fight broke out on its premises over an alleged incident of a firearm that was pointed at a learner by the school's security guard.
While speaking about the incident during a television interview, Sadtu KZN Provincial Secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said that these types of incidents often occur as a result of bullying among learners and adults intervene to end the fight.
According to the Union’s Provincial Secretary, one of the security guards at the school is alleged to have pointed a firearm at one of the pupils at the school.
In further stating that the union welcomes the department’s investigation of the incident, Caluza said that it is not understandable that the security guard was armed in an environment that prohibits the possession of firearms.
She added that although they are directly involved in the investigation, the union does engage the provincial education department, through campaigns such as the 'I am a school fan' Campaign which was launched in 2019.
In addition to this, Sadtu says that the investigation should extend beyond Effingham Secondary school after the current one has been concluded. She also points out that it might be the case that this is also happening in other schools across the province.
