Online ReporterRaymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
A FORM four pupil at Gifford Boys High School in Bulawayo is nursing a broken leg and fractured ribs while walking with the aid of crutches after he was allegedly attacked by boys from a rival school on a pavement in the city centre.
The incident occurred two weeks ago along Lobengula Street and Sixth Avenue in another case of school gang violence that continues to rear its ugly head in Bulawayo.
For years, Bulawayo has witnessed an escalation of school gang-related violence involving mostly boys-only schools as learners turn on each other in running battles in the city centre and downtown areas such as Egodini Terminus and Lobengula Street.
The latest incident that left a 16-year-old badly injured has once again cast the spotlight on school gang violence and what fuels it.
The boy’s mother said she was contacted by a vendor who operates along Lobengula Street, informing her that her son was writhing in pain after an unprovoked attack by a group of boys from another school.
“I rushed to Lobengula Street to find my son in a lot of pain and I took him to the hospital for treatment.
“He told me that the boys attacked him from behind and beat him for no reason.
“A scan from the hospital showed that his leg was broken and the doctors had recommended that they insert metal pins in his leg to help him recover,” she said.
“He now walks with the aid of crutches and is still in a lot of pain,” she told Chronicle.
The boy has lost ground in his studies after he failed to write mid-year examinations, which are critical as he prepares for final examinations that are on in a few months.
“I reported the incident at Bulawayo Central Police Station, but it’s been more than a week since my son was attacked, and I have not heard anything from the police. My son was attacked from behind and cannot positively identify the boys that beat him up, but another learner who was also attacked and left with a broken hand says he can identify them,” said the mother.
The police report under case number IR4684/25 was made at Bulawayo Central Police Station, she said, adding that she also reported the incident at Gifford High School and the authorities have helped try to get to the bottom of the incident.
“I’m disappointed with the other school’s officials who seem to be trying to keep the incident under wraps. It appears the school officials have normalised such violent incidents and are not interested in taking action,” said the mother.
Her husband appealed to parents to monitor their children’s behaviour for tell-tale signs of violent tendencies before it escalates to more serious crimes that could land their children in prison.
“As a father, I’m hurt by what happened to my son. At the same time, I believe that bullying is a sign that parents are not doing enough to mould their children into responsible young adults.
“Parents should look out for signs of intolerable behaviour from their kids before they turn into monsters who will one day end up in prison,” he said.
Bulawayo Provincial Education Director, Mr Bernard Mazambane, could not be reached for a comment. However, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Mr Taungana Ndoro, confirmed that his office had received a report on the incident.
“The incident happened outside the school, but as a ministry we are deeply concerned and taking positive disciplinary action against the perpetrators and providing socio-psycho support for the victim,” said Mr Ndoro.
He could not be drawn to disclose more but said the ministry was seized with the matter and that the public will be appraised of any developments in due course.
In February 2023, a Form Four pupil from Founders High School in Bulawayo died after being stabbed by a then 16-year-old pupil from Hamilton High School in gang-related violence.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is not folding its arms but is actively engaged in nipping school gang violence in the bud by engaging in campaigns in schools and deploying patrols in hotspots where learners are known to meet and fight.
“ZRP members have been to the two schools to talk to students about bullying and encourage them to desist from the fighting.
“We will continue to hold such campaigns in schools around Bulawayo and we want to assure residents that the ZRP will not stand by and allow school kids to attack one another without consequences,” said Insp Msebele.
“Bullying is a scourge that community members and the police must tackle together and we appeal to parents to monitor their children’s behaviour.
“We also warn pupils not to carry dangerous weapons like knives and catapults and not to be involved in and desist from any street fights while also urging parents to search their children’s bags for dangerous weapons,” she said.
