PUPILS at Mavalani Secondary School outside Giyani, Limpopo, went on the rampage, destroying property after accusing the principal of reporting that 57 of their schoolmates were pregnant.
Eighteen pupils were subsequently arrested.
On Friday pupils accused principal Meserea Mahungu of conniving with the media to expose teenage pregnancies at the school.
This was after Sowetan published damning articles about the school's high pregnancy rate, with the youngest expectant mother being only 13 years old.
It was also reported that parents of pregnant pupils were camping outside the school in case any pregnant pupil went into unexpected labour.
Angered by the negative publicity the pupils turned violent and threatened to kill Mahungu.
Mahungu had to be rescued by a heavily armed police contingent that went to the school to contain the volatile situation.
A pupil said they were angry about the principal inviting the media without consulting them and their parents.
"We had a standing agreement with the principal that issues affecting the school should first be discussed with the parents before being taken out for public consumption," Maluleke said.
He said they wanted Mahungu to apologise but parents were divided about the matter.
Mijhanji Makhubele said pupils were incited by teachers who had grudges against Mahungu and those who were responsible for impregnating pupils.
School governing body chairperson Hlengani Mikhasi said pupils were influenced by people with their own agendas.
The sentiments were also echoed by Limpopo provincial department of education spokesperson Pat Kgomo.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto confirmed that 18 pupils had been arrested.
She said they would appear in the Giyani magistrate's court today on a charge of public violence.
Sex pupils attack head
PUPILS at Mavalani Secondary School outside Giyani, Limpopo, went on the rampage, destroying property after accusing the principal of reporting that 57 of their schoolmates were pregnant.
Eighteen pupils were subsequently arrested.
On Friday pupils accused principal Meserea Mahungu of conniving with the media to expose teenage pregnancies at the school.
This was after Sowetan published damning articles about the school's high pregnancy rate, with the youngest expectant mother being only 13 years old.
It was also reported that parents of pregnant pupils were camping outside the school in case any pregnant pupil went into unexpected labour.
Angered by the negative publicity the pupils turned violent and threatened to kill Mahungu.
Mahungu had to be rescued by a heavily armed police contingent that went to the school to contain the volatile situation.
A pupil said they were angry about the principal inviting the media without consulting them and their parents.
"We had a standing agreement with the principal that issues affecting the school should first be discussed with the parents before being taken out for public consumption," Maluleke said.
He said they wanted Mahungu to apologise but parents were divided about the matter.
Mijhanji Makhubele said pupils were incited by teachers who had grudges against Mahungu and those who were responsible for impregnating pupils.
School governing body chairperson Hlengani Mikhasi said pupils were influenced by people with their own agendas.
The sentiments were also echoed by Limpopo provincial department of education spokesperson Pat Kgomo.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto confirmed that 18 pupils had been arrested.
She said they would appear in the Giyani magistrate's court today on a charge of public violence.
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