WATCH: Rifle pointed at Effingham Secondary learner amid chaos

Classes have been suspended at Effingham Secondary School in Redhill, Durban after chaos ensued on Thursday and one learner was pointed at with a rifle.

Several videos of the chaos at Effingham were shared online showing learners clashing with law enforcement which sparked outrage.

CLASSES SUSPENDED AT EFFINGHAM SECONDARY

It is not yet clear as to what caused the clash between learners and law enforcement, however, classes have been suspended until Monday, 23 May.

It is alleged that on Thursday after school, private security was called by the school and that is when chaos ensued. Rubber bullets were allegedly fired as well as tear gas. It is also alleged that securities assaulted a female learner who is seen being dragged down a street by the officers in one of the videos shared online.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education MEC, Kwazi Mshengu said he has assigned a two-member team to attend the situation of police brutality against learners at Effingham Secondary.

“Legal services have been directed to assist in opening criminal cases against the person pointing a rifle to learners,” Mshengu said.

In a letter, the school’s principal said it was closed due to disruptive behaviour of learners.

“An urgent parents meeting will be held on Saturday, 21 May at 09:00 in the school hall. The Circuit Manager will be addressing parents,” Govindsamy said.

DURBAN LEARNERS DISPLAY STRANGE BEHAVIOUR

Recently, teaching and learning has been disrupted in schools all over the country due to learners displaying signs of an ancestral calling, especially in Durban.

In late February, the AD Lazarus Secondary School in New Germany Road, Reservoir Hills and the P.R. Pather Secondary School in Merebank, Durban both suspended classes for the same reason.