Pretoria schoolboy's ear cut off

A Pretoria schoolboy's ear was sliced off with a machete during a violent attack by a rival school gang, The Star reported on Friday.

 

Three others were badly injured. The gang, armed with axes, pangas, and knives arrived at Langenhoven High School after the final bell on Wednesday to apparently settle a score.

 

The group, from a Pretoria West school, arrived in a taxi.

 

 "They waited outside the gate and attacked my son just as he came out on his way home," said the father of the boy, whose ear was cut off.

 

One of those injured was from the rival group. Police arrived at the scene after most of the injured had been removed.

 

"We are investigating the possibility of it being gang related," police spokeswoman Sergeant Ann Portman was quoted as saying.

 

She said a 15-year-old boy had been arrested on Thursday morning.

 

"He was the only identifiable one and we released him into his parents' custody pending the investigation."

 

Police would collect statements from the injured boys once they were well enough to talk, she said. Education department spokesman Gershwin Chuenyane said a team would be sent to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

 

"We are saddened by the injuries suffered by the learners. We will send psycho-social officials to talk to them," he was quoted as saying.

 -Sapa