A violent mass brawl erupted at Centenary Secondary School in Asherville, Durban, on Tuesday morning, leaving at least three pupils injured and prompting the school to shut down for the day. The incident occurred just before 9 am on February 4, 2025, as tensions escalated and police along with private security were called to manage the situation. Reports suggest the fight may have been racially motivated.
According to DRK Security, the school principal made the decision to close the establishment and informed parents to collect their children. Witnesses shared alarming accounts and videos of the brawl circulating on social media, depicting large groups of students engaging violently outside the school grounds.
Emergency medical teams responded swiftly, treating several pupils at the scene and transporting three to nearby hospitals. Their injuries and the conditions of the three patients remain unknown as of the latest updates. "A decision was made by the school principal to close the school, and parents were informed to collect their children," reported DRK Security, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Authorities have been prompted to conduct investigations, with the South African Police Service Public Order Policing units being deployed to restore order as school officials scrambled to control the chaotic environment.
Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Education, Sakhile Mngadi, condemned the incident, stating, "At this stage, there is no certainty about what transpired and we want a thorough investigation." Mngadi has called for the immediate deployment of a district task team to examine the events and how pupils were able to bring weapons onto the campus.
Mngadi also raised concerns about school safety protocols, stating, "Violence in schools cannot be normalized and urgent action must be implemented to...ensure schools remain places of learning and not fear." He noted the need for all affected students to receive trauma counseling to cope with the distress from this violent event.
The response and attention from both security forces and school officials indicate the seriousness of the situation, with authorities promising closer monitoring of the school to prevent future incidents.
While lessons were suspended for the day, the school announced via letter to parents, "School will continue as normal tomorrow. Day three of the timetable will be in operation." Parents and the surrounding community are left processing the chaos and fear instigated by the brawl, with calls for changes to security measures gaining momentum.
Discussions surrounding the fight are still developing, but it serves as yet another alarming reminder of the challenges some schools face when dealing with violence among students. The investigation will likely focus on the effectiveness of existing security measures and strategies to mitigate the risks of such incidents occurring again.
Moving forward, the community hopes for clear answers and effective interventions to restore peace and safety within the educational environment. Schools must be places where learning can flourish without the fear of violence overshadowing the academic mission.