SEE | Tensions rise when pupils damage the home of a Gauteng man accused of killing a 10th grade boy

• High school students damaged the home of a man they say was among those who killed their classmate.
• The man was rescued by the police.
• Three suspects have been arrested for killing Shawn Mphela outside his school.

Tensions remain high outside Geluksdal High School following the murder of a 10th grader on Thursday.

Accompanied by some parents, students and other people from neighboring schools, they gathered in front of the Geluksdal on Friday.

Police and officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department prevented them from entering the school.

Earlier, a group of Geluksdal pupils damaged property they claimed belonged to a man who stabbed 18-year-old Shawn Mphela to death.

They entered the patio carrying sticks, bricks and stones, breaking windows.

They then entered the house through the broken windows looking for the man.

The police quickly arrived and ordered the group out.

The group remained outside the door while police strategized how to get the man still inside the house out.

A visibly shaken woman came out of the kitchen door and fell behind the police for safety.

A few minutes later a Nyala from the police arrived and the students re-entered chanting slogans.

The police then opened fire on the students with rubber bullets and stun grenades before leaving with the man in the Nyala.

While this was going on, Gauteng MEC Matome Chiloane drove past the house to visit Mphela’s house in Tsakane.

Chiloane told News24 that he did not approve of the students’ behavior.

“It’s unfortunate. The incident hurt the students. Then they felt that we, as parents, had failed them, and they wanted to deal with the situation. They feel the way they feel. We’ll go and advise them. Let’s let the law follow its course and justice be done.

“We must allow the healing process to take place. At this rate, we may not have classes in this location. That is not what we want. We will spend time over the weekend to make sure classes resume on Monday”.

Chiloane added that the teachers were prepared to continue their work.

He also lashed out at some parents who were seen influencing students.

“A school teaches and parents must instill discipline. Some students complained that there are parents who teach their children racism, hatred and division. Those kids come to school thinking it’s okay to hate other students of a different color.

“We will harmonize and bring everyone on board to ensure school resumes. What happened is sad. I understand your [pupils] anger. It’s not nice to lose his partner. We cannot normalize children seeing death. They are at an age where death cannot be normal.

“They were with Mphela earlier that day. They had lunch, shared notes and played together. Then in the evening someone took their own life. We have sent social workers to help our children. These tensions and race riots are not good for anyone. We must come together and protect our school,” Chiloane said.

READ | 9th grader stabbed to death in Mpumalanga, suspect allegedly killed by mob

A fight allegedly broke out when three sophomores pepper-sprayed others during school hours.

Afterwards, about eight students confronted them about their behavior and stopped.

The alleged perpetrators emerged after school in the company of strangers.

A fight broke out and Mphela was stabbed to death.

One student escaped with minor injuries, while one of the alleged perpetrators was injured during the altercation.

Police have arrested three people in connection with Mphela’s murder.