The IFP was shocked to learn of the death of Mpendulo Mzulwini, a learner at Egagasini Secondary School in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, who was stabbed by unknown assailants in the school grounds. The motive behind the killing seems to revolve around the R500 he was carrying to pay for his matric dance. The assailants were trespassing on school property when this incident occurred, which shows a major lapse in security measures at our schools.
This was the sixth knife-related incident at a KwaZulu-Natal school. Questions need to be asked as to why it was so easy for nonlearners to enter school grounds without meeting any resistance, attack a learner and get away without being stopped or identified.
Section 8(a) of the Education Laws Amendment Act of 2007 gives guidelines on how random searches for drugs and illegal weapons should be conducted at schools, yet these are not being adhered to. Learners and even criminals are constantly bringing illegal weapons to schools. If we do not act decisively, the senseless killing of our children will continue unabated.