Drunk and high pupils a handful for teachers

September 14, 2016. Community patrol team search pupils as they arrive for school at Badirile High School in Khutsong, Carletonville, west of Johannesburg. Pic: Peter Mogaki. © Sowetan
September 14, 2016. Community patrol team search pupils as they arrive for school at Badirile High School in Khutsong, Carletonville, west of Johannesburg. Pic: Peter Mogaki. © Sowetan

A pupil accused of killing another student, abandoned his bail in the Khutsong Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The 19-year-old, who is a Lesotho national, stopped his formal bail application because it had not been established if he was in the country legally.

He is in Grade 10 at Badirile High School in Khutsong, Carletonville, west of Johannesburg.

He was arrested on September 1 after he allegedly stabbed and killed fellow pupil, Sabelo Phahlindlela, 19, outside their school on the same day.

Earlier the suspect was linked to the Casanova gang, one of several youth criminal gangs in the area.

The gangs are more known for waging running turf battles against one another in the area.

Meanwhile, the late Phahlindlela was identified as a member of the Creature gang.

He was stabbed once in the neck, after an altercation with the accused.

The two allegedly had an argument during school hours when the suspect, who was carrying a condom filled with water, and his attempt to throw it at someone was thwarted by Phahlindlela.

The suspect allegedly threatened to teach Phahlindlela a lesson after school.

After school, the suspect and his gang allegedly waited for him at the school gate, when he approached he was attacked and stabbed.

Phahlindlela, after he was stabbed and bleeding profusely, fled to the school's nursing room where he later lost his life.

The suspect is expected back in court on October 13.

Last week, MEC for education Panyaza Lesufi visited the school and addressed both pupils and teachers.

Teachers at the school expressed fear of being attacked when performing their duties.

They also raised concern about pupils arriving at the school intoxicated and armed with dangerous weapons, such as knives and pangas.

Concerned residents have taken it upon themselves to patrol the school and performing body searches when pupils arrive or leave the school.

Court jails and slates teen over dagga

Efforts to restore law and order at the controversial Badirile High School seemed to yield results on Tuesday when a pupil was sentenced for possession of dagga.

Magistrate PN Seopela sentenced Malibongwe Joseph Phethu, 19, to 30 days in jail or R500 fine in the Khutsong Magistrate's Court.

The Grade 11 pupil was arrested on Monday morning after the drug was found on him during a body search.

He had 0.02 grams of dagga in his pocketsl.

School patrollers then summoned police who took him into custody.

"I am sorry. I don't smoke dagga in the school. I only smoke on my way to school and home," said Phethu.

Prosecutor Calvin Mabogoana said Phethu had no respect for other pupils, as he was exposing them to drugs. Mabogoana then pleaded with the court to sentence Phethu to direct imprisonment.

Phethu had pleaded with the court not to send him to jail but it would seem his apologies fell on deaf ears.

"I don't want to go to jail. I want to go back to school and continue writing my exams. I want to be a better person in future.

"Please don't send me to jail," he pleaded.

Seopela asked Phethu what kind of a person he wanted to be in future if he smoked dagga.

"Do you know how many pupils are killed in schools because of drugs. You pupils go to school armed with knives and pangas.

"Teachers are afraid to go to school because of what you smoke.

"Today we deal with pupils attacking each other.

"I won't be able to give you a suspended sentence because you will be able to smoke dagga outside.

"When you are high, you call yourselves bosses," said Seopela.

ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za

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