Students riot at Ledumang Snr School

VICTOR MUYAKWABO
Staff Writer | Thursday September 27, 2012 00:00

 

School property was vandalised by students during this unexpected spate of hooliganism.  The clashes reportedly began when the students were about to have their tea-break at 10am. It is alleged that a group of Form Five students rushed towards the serving baskets and scrambled for bread. They then pelted teachers with the bread and stones. The shocked teachers and kitchen staff who were caught unaware, rushed into the staff room and locked themselves inside.

The students proceeded to break windows and lightbulbs in classrooms. They also broke the window of a teacher's vehicle. Deplorably, they then threw stones at each other, until a group of police officers, armed with riot shields and tear gas arrived at the school to disperse the crowd and control the situation. 

A source within the school informed Mmegi that there is a segment of problematic students who are involved in drug abuse. They are said to also bring alcohol onto school premises.  

'Some people from outside the school have chosen to use this school as a market for drugs. Some of these drugs are sold through public transport that students use to travel to and from school,' said the source. The source also informed Mmegi that there are some spots outside the school where students who allegedly take drugs assemble after school. 

Efforts to speak to the school head, Peter Moalosi proved futile. He assigned one of his junior employees to inform us that he was not in a position to speak to the media. Meanwhile, one of the students informed Mmegi that all the Form five students have been ordered not to return to school until they begin writing their final examinations in October.

The station commander of Broadhurst Police Station, Superintendent Goratwang Odumetse told Mmegi that they are still investigating the allegations of drug abuse at the school. 'We have not yet arrested anyone for the damage of the car and the school buildings,' said Odumetse.  He noted that incidents of violence at the school are disturbing, considering that a fortnight ago a female student was hospitalised after being stabbed with a knife by another female learner.