'We feel betrayed and failed by SAPS', say pupils as they march against crime

Schooling was disrupted at eight schools in Soshanguve, northern Pretoria, as pupils went on a protest against crime.

The protest started at Senthibele Senior Secondary School which has seen two crime incidents in recent months.

Police on Tuesday fired rubber bullets to disperse the protesters from Amogelang High School, MJ Mgidi Senior Secondary, Kondelelani Secondary School, Kgadime Matsepe High School, Soshanguve High School, Matsemela High School and Kgomotso High School.

The recent incident happened last month when department of education officials were robbed of smart boards and tablets being delivered at the school.

In April, the principal was approached by two gunmen when he arrived at the school. Shots where fired towards his direction and they hit his vehicle. He was robbed of his two cellphones before he ran away and the men fled.

A matriculant from Senthibele said more than 10 pupils were shot during the march to deliver a memorandum at the Rietgat police station. The pupil claimed their memorandum got lost as they ran in different directions when police shot at them.

“We feel betrayed and failed by the SAPS. These are the people who are meant to protect us yet they are the ones hurting us,” she said.

“Not long ago our principal got robbed at gunpoint and security measures were not implemented to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers.

“These criminals also took our study materials and when we asked for intervention from the police, their van arrived two hours later, yet the police station is not that far,” she said.

She pleaded with the provincial department of education to intervene as they are aware of the series of criminal activities that have been occurring at the school.

“We ask for police visibility at all the Tshwane North schools on a daily basis because all pupils from all around Soshanguve are complaining about the crimes,” she said.

A pupil from Matsemela High School was among those who got shot. She suffered two bullets wounds on her right thigh. She told Sowetan that she was not even part of the protest yet she got injured.

“I am in so much pain,” she said.

Parent Samuel Maimela, 47, was furious as his daughter was also injured during the protest. “What happened today is just unacceptable,” said Maimela.

Gauteng police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Sello said the pupils refused to enter their respective school premises and blocked entrances.

“The police were called to disperse them. After they were dispersed by the police, they proceeded to other schools and disrupted classes. About eight high and primary schools were disrupted as a result,” said Sello, adding that no-one was arrested.

Education spokesperson Steve Mabona did not respond to requests for comment.

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