SAUCIC urges tougher measures to deal with violence in schools after Hoërskool Roodepoort stabbings

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) has called for tougher measures to deal with violence in schools after the stabbing of a principal and several pupils at Hoërskool Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg.

The incident, linked to a clash between pupils from Hoërskool Roodepoort and West Ridge High School, erupted on Monday after a fight last Friday went viral on social media.

The union said new regulations were needed to allow for the immediate dismissal of learners who attack others and endanger lives.

Its president, Cardinal Archbishop Modiri Sholé, warned that failure to act could see violence spiral out of control in schools.

He also called for stronger security, greater community involvement, and even spiritual intervention to protect learners.

Spokesperson Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said: "The prevalence of incidents of this nature is worrisome, as they depict moral decay and a collapse of community values that are encroaching into the school environment."