3 pupils held for shooting

Johannesburg police have arrested three Grade 9 pupils, aged between 14 and 17, for attempted murder.

In a statement yesterday, police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said two people were injured in a shooting incident outside MH Joosub Secondary School in Lenasia Ext 9 shortly after 7am.

“One of the victims, who is being treated at the local hospital, was shot and wounded in the right leg below the knee and another sustained a graze wound on the leg,” said Dlamini.

“A 7.65-calibre pistol with six rounds of ammunition was seized at the home of one of the suspects. Cases of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm are being investigated.”

Gauteng department of education spokesperson Steve Mabona said that the two Grade 12 pupils who were injured were rushed to Lenmed Clinic and Lenasia Clinic .

Police are investigating allegations that one of the suspects was playing with the firearm when the shot went off, injuring the two victims.

Dlamini said police followed one of the boys to his house, where the firearm was found.

“It has been established that the firearm belongs to one of the detained boys’ [father]. His father will be investigated to establish his fitness to possess a firearm,” Dlamini said.

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was pleased by the arrests.

“We welcome the arrest of the implicated pupils. This is a sign of the cooperation agreement with the police to attend to these kind of acts occurring closer to our schools,” said Lesufi.

Lesufi said the department had dispatched social support to assist staff and pupils at the school, including the victims and their families.

He said the level of violence in and around schools was of grave concern.

“The student governing body will institute disciplinary procedures and communicate with all affected stakeholders,” he said. – ANA