12 February 2024 

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng is devastated by the tragic incident that unfolded at Oakdale Secondary School in Ennerdale, Johannesburg, where a grade 8 learner lost his life last Wednesday after being stabbed in a fight between pupils outside the school the day before. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and we wish a speedy recovery to the grade 10 pupil who is currently hospitalized as a result of the same incident.

This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for decisive action to address the escalating issue of gangsterism among pupils from different schools in the Ennerdale area. It is distressing to see young lives being lost due to violence that should have no place within the educational environment.

We believe that schools should be safe havens for learning and personal development, not battlegrounds for territorial disputes. The entire community, including parents, teachers, and law enforcement, must unite to create an environment that fosters positive growth and education for our youth.

COSATU Gauteng stands in solidarity with the affected families, and we implore all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. We further call on the Gauteng Department of Education and Department of Community Safety to strengthen safety and security in schools and if need be, deploy peace wardens.

The time for action is now, and we cannot afford to lose more young lives to the scourge of violence within our schools.

Issued by COSATU Gauteng

Provincial Chairperson (Amos Monyela): 079 493 5002

Provincial Secretary (Louisah Modikwe): 066 182 2402 / 082 297 2659