Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal – Parents at Ntongande High School are demanding urgent intervention as violent clashes among pupils escalate, with reports of attacks involving knives, broken bottles, and wooden sticks.
For years, the school has struggled with factional tensions and power struggles among learners, but parents say the situation has worsened dramatically over the past three years. Despite repeated efforts by school management, community leaders, and even law enforcement, the violence persists, spilling beyond school grounds.
A Longstanding Crisis
According to concerned parents and community members, the conflicts are deeply rooted, with some unable to pinpoint exactly when the violence began. Recent weeks have seen multiple brutal assaults, leaving learners injured and traumatized.
“This has been an issue for many, many years,” said a reporter covering the situation. “But in the last three years, it has gotten worse. Learners are now bringing dangerous weapons into the school, and some have been stabbed.”
Parents Speak Out
One distressed parent shared how her son was violently attacked with a wooden stick, leading to his suspension after he retaliated in self-defense.
“The school governing body, community safety structures, and even traditional leaders have tried to intervene, but nothing changes,” she said. “We fear this problem will continue unless something drastic is done.”
Calls for Stronger Action
Despite involvement from the Department of Education, police, and local leadership, the violence shows no signs of stopping. Parents are now pleading for a more effective strategy to restore safety and order at the school.
Authorities have yet to announce new measures, leaving families anxious about their children’s security. As tensions remain high, the community waits to see if the latest outcry will finally bring lasting solutions.
