Pupils race to rescue after knifemen rob peers at school

A GROUP of brave Bethelsdorp High School pupils chased and caught a suspected knife-wielding robber moments after he and two accomplices robbed three teenagers on the school premises.

The robbery happened during morning break on Wednesday when three men armed with knives entered the school grounds in Felcass Road, Salt Lake, through a hole in the perimeter fence.

School principal Leon Arendse said the attack happened at about 11.15am when the three men accosted two Grade 9 girls and a Grade 10 boy, aged 14 and 15.

“They were near the perimeter fence when the men approached them,” he said.

“They held all three pupils at knifepoint and threatened them. The men stole a neck chain and cellphones before fleeing.

“During the robbery, a group of senior pupils heard cries for help and came running. They chased all three suspects and managed to catch one.”

Arendse said police were alerted and the man was brought to his office by the senior pupils. “The other two managed to run away,” he said.

“Within a few minutes, the entire community knew about the robbery and started baying for him [the man who was caught] to be handed over to them.

“They were outside the school . . . the police and community leaders managed to calm them down. The police removed the [alleged] perpetrator. Due to the commotion, we had to end school early.”

Trauma counsellors were brought to the school yesterday. “The staff and scholars are very shaken up,” Arendse said. “I have informed the Department of Education, which is also sending people to assist.”

The three pupils who were robbed were yesterday receiving counselling from the police’s victim support centre.

Police spokesman Captain Johan Rheeder said the suspects were believed to be linked to one of the northern areas gangs.

“When police arrived, the children handed over the 19-year-old suspected robber. A search was conducted for the other two, but they were not found.

“This type of robbery is occurring more particularly in the northern areas schools, which are surrounded by gangs. Most of the schools’ perimeter fences are broken, providing easy access.”

Rheeder said drug-dealing on school premises was a major issue. “We [police] are often in contact with the schools to determine who the culprits are.”

The suspect is due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court today on charges of robbery and theft.