COSATU Free State shocked by attacks of learners in Bloemfontein school

COSATU Free State is shocked by the attacks on learners which took place on Wednesday around Heidedal and Mangaung area.

We are greatly disturbed by the fact that learning had to be disrupted by this act which was completely uncalled for.

We hereby take this opportunity to wish those who are injured speedy recovery and send the condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives.

We will await the report of the investigations to know the exact cause of the attacks but from where we stand nothing can justify such attacks! We hereby make the following calls to the specific sections of our communities;

To our beloved learners; we hereby make a call to our learners to be vigilant and choose their friends wisely so that they may not get entangled to actions which have the potential to prejudice their careers for the rest of their lives with either being permanently maimed or acquiring a criminal record at this early age.

Department of Education; we have been making calls for some time about security in schools and this unfortunate brings the very issue rudely back into focus. We hereby make the call once again that the Department of Education Free State should ensure that schools are secured as learning areas.

There have been too many disturbing actions in schools including learning attacking and even killing each other during school time!

The department really has to act this time around.

South African Police Service (SAPS); we call on SAPS to mobilize relevant resources to ensure the safety of our children in schools.

Parents; we implore on all parents that even in this busy lives where the capitalist system has successfully alienated  us from our social lives and all the time we have is to work and work more that we should make time to be friends with their children and most importantly be friends with our children

We call on all sectors of our society to play an active role in creating a space for the youth to display their talents and utilize their energies positively such that they may not have time to engage in unpalatable activities which may include being part of gangs and even engaging in substance abuse.

Issued by Monyatso oa Mahlatsi, COSATU Free State Provincial Secretary, 27 September 2015