Violence forces Bloemfontein school closure
The Free State Department of Education has called for calm among community members and parents from schools in Bloemfontein.
This comes after a young man was severely assaulted by members of the Heidedal community this morning because he was believed to be part of a gang, terrorising the community.
It is understood exams were disrupted at another school when a gang who call themselves the Romans, armed with pangas and other objects wanted to enter the school premises.
Police spokesperson Zweli Mohobeleli says after word of the incident got around, parents collected their children from various schools in the city out of fear of gang attacks.
Education spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, could not comment on the situation they were at a meeting in Heidedal to discuss the matter.
He however asked community members to remain calm and ignore social media messages.
Various Bloemfontein schools sent out bulk text messages to parents late this morning, urging them to collect their children from school.
See a video and Twitter reaction following the incident.
Some schools affected. Allegedly gang violence. Various reports coming in of schools closing, lockdown #BloemSchools pic.twitter.com/89WMInMYyS
— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) September 23, 2015Gangsterism has BEEEN a problem at schools in Bloem. Little was done then. Now there's a brazen new group "Maroma" just killing kids. SMH!!
— thembekile (@ThembiMrototo) September 23, 2015My Mom tells me her school is out, all the parents came to take their kids, they say the gang is heading their way. Bloemfontein though haai
— Pholoho Selebano (@Pholoho) September 23, 2015@SAPoliceService WE NEED ALL THE POLICE TEAM THAT WAS AT THE MARIKANA MINE RIGHT NOW IN BLOEMFONTEIN PLEASE!!!!
— Dr Khataza (@LeGoodySA) September 23, 2015Please fetch your kids, nephews,nieces and siblings around Bloemfontein people. as there are killings around
— Shaun_Nhevi (@Le_Fancy) September 23, 2015The situation in Bloemfontein is getting out of hand... 😢 pic.twitter.com/llBCn8M7Q5
— thug. (@Sinovuyo_) September 23, 2015Communities joining forces in fighting the "maroma"gang..Bloem people are gatvol,this is serious and not a joke pic.twitter.com/kQjhq9OKPM
— King Carlo (@thabangmatuka) September 23, 2015Gangs Killing Kids In Schools In Bloemfontein.. Good People PLEASE FETCH YOUR KIDS/SIBLINGS at schools in Kasi BLOEMFONTEIN! PLEASE!!!
— Dr Khataza (@LeGoodySA) September 23, 2015(Photo: Christal-Lize Muller)