Boy dies in faction fight at Cofimvaba high school

Eastern Cape department of education MEC Fundile Gade has learnt with shock of the death of a grade 8 pupil at Arthur Mfebe High School in Cofimvaba on Tuesday due to faction fighting among the boys and has sent his condolences to the family of the deceased pupil.

The pupil, from Oathay Rural Settlement, was killed by other scholars in full view of teachers and fellow pupils.

The situation necessitated the school governing body and leadership to call for a speedy meeting with stakeholders to resolve the matter.

The meeting was attended by local stakeholders including the Chris Hani west education district’s top management, Saps district commissioner, Intsika Yethu acting mayor, chief Zwelabantu Matanzima of Abathembu Kingdom Royal Council and the headman to map a way forward.

“Due to the volatile situation at the school, the meeting unanimously agreed that normal schooling in the prevailing circumstances is untenable, hence the decision to suspend classes. A meeting to map a way forward is scheduled for next week Monday, August 22, at 8am at the school with parents and all stakeholders,” read the statement.

The suspension of classes is meant to allow space for deliberations and charting a way forward in resolving the matter.

Gade condemned the boys’ faction fights and called upon the community to work together to resolve this matter.