Parents shut down Ekurhuleni school over renewed allegations of racial gang violence and drug dealing

Geluksdal Secondary School in Ekurhuleni remained closed on Monday after parents and community members shut down the school on Friday. They are demanding that the principal and a school governing board member be fired for failing to keep discipline and mismanaging the school.

This follows weeks of mounting tensions in the school over allegations of ill-discipline, substance abuse and race-based gang fights.

Last month, we reported that a grade 12 learner was assaulted by a group of a dozen adults, apparently taxi drivers, who also fired gunshots in the air around the school.

An incident on Thursday last week prompted the shutdown on Friday. A 14-year-old coloured learner was said to have been assaulted by a large group of black learners, and his older brother stabbed in the back when he tried to intervene.

“The school will remain closed until these issues have been resolved,” said Devon van Wyk, a community representative.

He said, “We are tired because nothing is being done and there is a safety threat facing our children.”

He said they wanted the principal suspended “until investigations are completed”, because “she is failing to put proper disciplinary measures in place”.

“Previous principals were able to discipline students,” he said.

According to Van Wyk, parents and community members have been going to the school every day since August to help discipline students. He said this has resulted in quarrels between parents, community members and school staff.