‘Teachers in fear of pupils’

The National Freedom Party has lashed out at the Congress of SA Students (Cosas), blaming the movement for the death of Gadimang Mokolobate, the 24-yearold maths teacher who was fatally stabbed last Thursday.

“It must be noted that these ongoing violent [attacks] aimed at teachers have been spread by the unruly gangsters of [Cosas],” said party spokesperson Sabelo Sigudu. He said that Cosas said “several times on national television that pupils must retaliate [against] teachers”.

The party said if their concerns are not addressed, they will call on Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to resign.

The party said Motshekga must do more to protect teachers and called on her to “review the rights given to children as compared to teachers. Teachers are no longer doing their jobs freely, teachers are living in fear of the very same pupils they must teach on [a] daily basis,” said Sigudu.

Mokolobate was allegedly stabbed to death by a pupil at Ramotshere Technical High School in Dinokana, Zeerust. A 17-year-old schoolboy has been arrested in connection with his murder.

North West police said the teacher was killed inside a classroom. “The 17-year-old Grade 10 pupil [entered] class and approached the teacher who was busy on the chalkboard. When the teacher turned, the pupil stabbed him once in the chest without uttering [a] word,” said police Captain Sam Tselanyane.

The suspect was set to appear in court soon. – Citizen reporter