Robbers stab pupil outside school

Pupil’s mother expresses concern about vagrants in Dr Chota Motala Road

A 14-year-old pupil was stabbed while attempting to fight off robbers a few metres outside the school gate this week.

The Raisethorpe Secondary School pupil, who had just been dropped off outside the school by his mother on Wednesday, was walking towards the school gate when two vagrants from the area stopped him and demanded he give them R2.

“When my son said that he does not have a R2, they started manhandling him and searching him for the R2.

They then wanted him to hand over his cellphone as he had it on him,” the mother told The Witness.

She said her son was going on an excursion, which is why he had his phone on him.

“He normally does not take his phone to school, but since they were going on an excursion, I told him he could take it with so he can contact me to come fetch him when they are back from the excursion.

“He told me that they were trying to get his phone from him by force.

“My son put up a fight and he was able to free himself from them.

Unfortunately, before he could run away, they stabbed him on his thigh,” said the mother.

Fortunately, the Grade 10 pupil was able to get medical assistance and make it to his excursion.

However, his mother said the trauma kicked in later and he was not up for attending school yesterday.

“He is really traumatised at the moment and we told him that he could stay at home until he is feeling better.

“We really have a big issue with the vagrants in Dr Chota Motala Road. We need assistance from the authorities,” said the boy’s mother.

Raisethorpe Secondary School Principal Pragalathan Gounden said the incident occurred a distance from the school property and that the boy received assistance and is recovering.