Learners suspended after violent altercation over cap at Tuscany Glen High School

The Western Cape Education Department has confirmed that two groups linked to an altercation where a student was stabbed in the neck due to an argument over a cap was suspended while the school said disciplinary action is on the cards following a peace agreement between the parties.

The department’s Bronagh Hammond confirmed that the students were suspended and that there was a stabbing incident.

The school, Tuscany Glen High School in Blue Downs shared an open letter to parents on their Facebook regarding the September 10 incident in which there was an altercation between two groups who were subsequently suspended.

They said disciplinary action included a visit by a representative from the department and AGU and that a peace agreement was reached.

The learners have since returned to school this week.

The school said: “As you know, the students involved in the incident were suspended for seven days as a precautionary measure. The suspension concludes on Wednesday and they are expected to return to school on Thursday.

“Upon their return, we will proceed with disciplinary action as outlined in the school's Code of Conduct.

“To address the root conflict and prevent future incidents, we facilitated a meeting with the students and their parents.

“To ensure the seriousness of the situation was understood, we brought in two representatives from the Anti-Gang Unit to speak about the dangers of group affiliation. From the District Office, our school Social Worker and Psychologist were also present.

“We are pleased to report that during the meeting learners and parents were able to share perspectives.

In conclusion, they collectively decided to enter into a peace agreement.

The groups shook hands promising to put the conflict behind them.”

This week, the Cape Argus revealed that the WCED reported that 454 incidents of assault took place on school property between January and July  involving learners while NAPTOSA reports that since January 2025, 563 children have fallen victim to violence, leading to high absenteeism  and victimisation with gangsterism spilling over into the classroom.

Kerry J Mauchline, spokesperson for MEC for Education, David Maynier, confirmed that assaults on school grounds around the Western Cape included a number of incidents involving the use of weapons to physical altercations.

Riedwaan Ahmed, Provincial Chief Executive Officer for the National Professional Teacher’s Organisation of South Africa, said over 500 children had fallen victim to crime due to gang violence and school fights.

He added crime linked with victimisation led to high absenteeism and teachers left traumatised.

He explained that schools in gang hotspot areas have increasingly become unsafe zones, with learners and education staff traumatised by shootings, stabbings, and ongoing gang activities. Through all of this, we are informed that since January 2025, 563 children have fallen victim to gangsterism and violence particularly in areas such as Eerste River, Lavender Hill, Manenburg and Mitchells Plain.”

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