Worcester school gang scare: Two arrested, matrics write exams at new venue

Breede Valley Municipality confirmed the closure of R43 Villiersdorp Road in Avian Park due to protest action on Friday following community unrest related to the alleged gang being on school premises on Thursday.

Image: Facebook/Julian Jansen - Journalist

Two suspects have been arrested for intimidation and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after allegedly entering the grounds of Breërivier High School in Avian Park, Worcester.

One of them is a learner who had been expelled from the school. The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) said the suspects had terrorised the school on two separate occasions last week. 

Western Cape police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the arrests.

Gwala also confirmed to IOL Media that one of the suspects had been expelled from the school.

“On his way out, he insulted teachers and pelted them with stones,” she said.

A group of concerned community members then took to the streets. Gwala said they demonstrated in Noble Street, “demanding action from the Department of Education.”

The protest on Friday, October 23, closed the R43 Villiersdorp Road in Avian Park. The Breede Valley Municipality linked the demonstrations to reports of "a gang being on school premises the day before."

According to the SAPS, Public Order Police were deployed to restore stability and prevent recurrence.

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond told IOL Media that the suspects entered the school grounds on two separate occasions, “intimidating staff and learners.”

“This has understandably been traumatic for learners, educators and support staff,” Hammond said.

She said stolen fencing had left the school exposed.

“The repeated theft of perimeter fencing has had a significant impact on access control at the school,” she said.

According to Hammond, the department’s Safe Schools component previously arranged for the fencing to be replaced, but it was “subsequently stolen again.” This left sections of the school “vulnerable to unauthorised access.”

To avoid disruption to the National Senior Certificate exams, the WCED arranged for Grade 12 learners to write at an alternative venue.

“These examinations have proceeded without disruption,” Hammond said.

She said the department was “exploring additional measures to support the school,” and that counselling and psychosocial support would be made available where required.

“Ultimately, this is a community policing issue as well, and all roleplayers need to be involved,” she said.

She appealed to residents to help protect school infrastructure and report “any suspicious activity, vandalism or theft.”