Ennerdale residents are demanding answers from the education department in the wake of the tragic death of a Grade 8 pupil. Siyanda Malinga, a 15-year-old student at Oakdale Secondary School, was stabbed to death outside the school gates on Thursday. The community is blaming the education department for failing to address the issues of crime and violence plaguing schools in the south of Johannesburg.
According to reports, Malinga was ambushed by a Grade 10 pupil after he refused to pay a protection fee of R5. The incident has sparked an outpouring of emotions in Ennerdale, with parents placing the blame squarely on the education department for the death of their child.
Residents of Ennerdale have been advocating for improved security measures, better infrastructure, and a new school in the area for a considerable amount of time. They argue that the current school is severely overcrowded and understaffed, with classes sometimes held under trees.
Since 1994, the community claims that no new school has been built in the area, leading to increased frustration. One resident expressed their anger, saying, To hell with our government, they don’t care about our children.
The school grounds have become a breeding ground for criminals due to long grass and unkempt shrubs, which provide cover for illegal activities. The community has to clean. Go around, that is where they are hiding themselves… robbing the children, one resident said.
This is not the first time Ennerdale has made headlines for issues related to the school. Earlier this year, the community shut down the school to protest longstanding infrastructure problems.
As the Ennerdale community mourns the loss of Siyanda Malinga, their demands for answers and action from the education department grow stronger. They believe that improved security, better infrastructure, and a new school are essential to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for their children.
The tragedy highlights the pressing need for authorities to address the persistent issues of crime and violence in schools, particularly in the south of Johannesburg. The education department now faces increased scrutiny from both the community and concerned parents who demand swift and effective action to prevent future incidents.
It remains to be seen how the education department will respond to these demands and what measures they will put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of students in Ennerdale and beyond.
