Fears over rise in gang violence involving learners

THE death of a 17-year-old Seke 1 High School Form Three learner in Chitungwiza after being stabbed in the stomach with an okapi knife by another pupil during a sports event at a nearby school has raised fears of mounting gang-related violence at schools in the town.

The alleged perpetrator — a 16-year-old pupil from Zengeza 2 High — has since appeared before the Magistrates Court and has been remanded to August 30.

Last week, The Sunday Mail exclusively reported on increasing concern among Chitungwiza residents as a result of a disturbing surge in violent attacks against schoolchildren in the town.

The latest incident comes hard on the heels of another gory attack on four Form Four pupils at Jonas High School in Seke by a local man —Prosper Tirivavi — who terrorised and viciously attacked the pupils.

Another incident involved a six-member gang that brutally attacked three Form Six pupils from Seke 1 High School.

A head boy and two prefects, are nursing wounds they sustained after being allegedly kidnapped and assaulted by the six-member gang.

Yesterday, The Sunday Mail, reached out to the family of the slain pupil, Tadiwanashe Kundishora, which said it was worried about how the case was being handled.

The family said it was still to get an explanation of what transpired.

“We were shocked to learn that the perpetrator or alleged stabber appeared in court on Wednesday through social media,” said Jeffery Bunu, an uncle to the deceased.

“Not even one family member of the victim was present when the case was being heard.

“Nobody told us they will appear in court; we are worried.”

According to court papers, on the fateful day, Tadiwanashe allegedly confronted his killer while armed with stones on July 12.

He then grabbed his killer who then

drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed him on the left side of his stomach before fleeing the scene.

The deceased was ferried to hospital, where he was treated and discharged.

Two days later, he was taken back to hospital, after his condition deteriorated before passing away upon admission.

Tadiwanashe’s niece, who requested anonymity, said the deceased’s last words were to name his killer.

“He told me that he was stabbed at Nyatsime College during a sporting event with an okapi knife.

“He said he had done him no wrong.

Parents and children in the town fear that the incident could be gang-related.

A Nyatsime College pupil, who cannot be named, said he is living in fear of gangs at the school.

“There is a group of boys who are always carrying knives,” he said.

“They abuse school children, they take their phones, money and even hats. They wait for us to leave the school premises and we are scared of them.”

A Seke 1 High School member of the School Development Association, who also refused to be named, said the school’s administration should address the festering problem

“This is not the first time; we have received numerous reports from the same school of incidents of gang members terrorising school children,” he said.

“We once had a dialogue with the headmaster but it seems nothing has changed, something is not right at this school, there is a need for investigations into these matters,”

Psychologist Dr Herbert Ngara said exposure to violence within the school environment negatively affects the development and well-being of learners.

“Exposure to violence impairs learners’ emotions and cognition and it ultimately leads to increased levels of anxiety and depression,” said Dr Ngara.

He said gangs are territorial, and they control the area in which they live and learners suffer academically because they will rather stay away from school for long periods and fail than be harmed physically.

“Learners become so terrified of being harmed in school and this results in low concentration, absenteeism, withdrawal and isolation from peers.”