Concerns over school safety are mounting following the death of a 19-year-old learner who was allegedly assaulted on school premises in KwaZulu-Natal.
Siboniso Landela, a learner at Vusumuzi High School in Isithebe, northern KwaZulu-Natal, was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with four other learners on Tuesday.
Police say Landela was allegedly struck on the head during the confrontation and was later found unconscious.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that four learners, aged between 15 and 20, had been arrested in connection with the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the altercation remain under investigation.
Comment has been sought from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education.
The incident is the latest in a series of violent incidents involving learners, renewing concerns about safety in South African schools.
Similar incident in Western Cape
In the Western Cape, a Grade 10 learner died in June after being involved in a fight with another learner at Bellville High School in Cape Town.
The learner was taken to hospital following the altercation but later died from his injuries. No arrests have been reported in connection with the incident.
The school was again linked to a violent confrontation last week when learners allegedly became involved in a fight with pupils from a nearby school. No serious injuries were reported.
A community leader said some of the violence was allegedly linked to gang activity and tensions arising from cultural differences.
The latest incidents have intensified calls for stronger safety measures at schools and greater intervention to prevent learner disputes from escalating into serious violence.