WO Mmako Mophiring, police spokesperson for the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, has confirmed that the riots at the Tlotlisong Secondary School in Ficksburg were under control and that everything was back to normal.
This follows an incident on Thursday (02/02) when learners attacked teachers and accused them of causing a fellow learner’s death. This learner was found dead at his home in Ficksburg after he had allegedly drunk poison.
Public Order Police and the Tactical Response Team were urgently deployed at the school to assist in controlling the learners, who refused to attend classes for the day.
The situation escalated when stones were thrown and school property was damaged.
The riot resulted in the tipping over of a police vehicle. After police backup was summoned to the school, three police vehicles, several of the school’s windows and gates at the school were damaged.
While teachers and police members were unharmed, one learner was hit by a stone.
“No arrests were made thus far. The situation is currently calm,” confirmed Mophiring.
“Police are monitoring the school and surrounding areas. The case of public violence is being investigated.”
