The sad incidence that occurred at Makolokwe Middle School on July 18, 2018 around lunchtime where a learner (name supplied) was shot dead behind the school toilet and died on the spot has gripped fellow learners and the community at large.

Tracing the events that led to the boy’s tragic death points to the uncharacteristic mischief that has haunted learning institutions in the region where bullying by learners through gangsterism has taken its toll without decisive intervention.

A consultative interview with the ward eight councillor Keamogetswe Madikiza in Batlharos revealed the gist of the matter unreservedly. A group of learners attacked hostels owned by a member (name supplied) of the community watch, who allegedly works with Wanya Tsotsi group. The learners considered the man to be a nuisance in stopping them from their notorious activities. The tenants in the hostels then swiftly called the owner who spontaneously responded and availed himself in the nick of time.

The tenants did not know that stoning of the hostels by these learners was a way of provoking the owner so that he could come and face a fierce quarrel over his involvement in trying to stop them from harassing the community. The learners-cum gangsters attacked the man upon his arrival.

Sensing danger, he cautioned them that he is fetching a gun, rushed into his vehicle where he retrieved his gun and verbally threatened them that they dare not come nearer him. Words did not scare them enough, they advanced towards him, and he retreated slightly shooting in the sky to prove he had live ammunition, they kept advancing like charging bulls forcing the gunman to release the trigger directly to the advancing mob, missing the group leader.

The shot victim was not the intended target but was part of the group who had allegedly requested to go to the lavatory from the classroom. In this case the victim knew there was business to attend to outside and had to request visiting the ablution room ostensibly to join his team mates. Meanwhile parents of the shot learner have extended an olive branch to the killer knowing well the behaviour of their child. The forensic team conducted their examinations and the deceased will be buried on July 28, 2018.

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Ward 8 councillor Keamogetswe Madikiza concerned about juvenile delinquency in her constituency, Batlharos village.