Large numbers of boozed-up learners between the ages of 14 and 18 caused havoc in Louis Trichardt during the annual Vhembe Circuit athletics meeting at Louis Trichardt High School.

Residents were left appalled at what they saw, with horror reports streaming in of underaged learners’ alleged drunken behaviour.

Motorists reported drunken kids blocking traffic on the corner of Ruh and Hospital Street, opposite Louis Trichardt High School’s sport grounds. At one stage, intoxicated learners forced a motorist to a standstill by encircling the vehicle and shouting obscene remarks to the driver. Reports were also received of learners throwing rocks at passing cars. Pedestrians also did not escape the drunken mob´s verbal abuse. Further reports indicate that some of the teachers who were supposed to supervise the learners, were also indulging in a drink or two. Eventually, the Makhado SAPS’s help was called in to control the rowdy learners.

When the Zoutpansberger visited the sports facilities the following day, the scene where the learners’ buses had been parked resembled that of a liquor dumping site, with scores of empty liquor cans and bottles everywhere.

This sports event, which was organised by the Soutpansberg East Circuit, was attended by 19 schools from in and around the Louis Trichardt. Visiting schools were Elim Secondary, Johannes Mulambilu Secondary, Jonathan T Secondary, Lemana, Litshovhu, Louis Trichardt, Makhado Comprehensive, Masedi Secondary, Mathede Secondary School, Michael Denga, Muthuhuandini, Osiaz Davhana, Phillips Memorial Secondary, Ravhuhali Secondary School, Rivhubye Secondary, Solomon Maelula Secondary, Tshiawelo Secondary, Waterval and LTT Murunwa. The circuit hired Louis Trichardt High School’s sport facilities to host the event.

The circuit manager for the Soutpansberg East region, Mr Peter Netshia, was contacted a day after the event for comment on the leareners´ behaviour. He was, however, surprised by the allegations, stating that “the matter has not been reported to him.” Netshia was reluctant to comment.

“Nothing has been reported to me, and therefore there is no need to comment on the matter,” Netshia said. He hinted that the allegations had been fabricated, seeing that matter had not been elevated to his level. Netshia then referred the newspaper to the executive sports committee of the cluster.

Chairperson of the sports committee Mr Paul Mulaudzi and secretary Mr Daniel Luthaga from their side confirmed the accusations surrounding the event. They indicated, however, that investigations would be difficult because of a lack of sufficient evidence.

“It would have been better if there were photographs showing the learners drinking, because then it would have been easier to identify the schools and investigate them,” Mulaudzi said. The two added, however, that they could not deny the fact that learners might have been drinking during and after the event.

“Learners are very uncontrollable,” said Mulaudzi and Luthaga.

A report of the day’s events as compiled by Louis Trichardt High School has been received by the cluster committee. It will also be passed on to the local Department of Education for investigation. “We have a Code of Conduct that we have to follow to investigate these types of incidents,” said Mulaudzi. Rumours regarding teachers who also drank were, however, fervently denied by both Mulaudzi and Luthaga.

LouisTrichardt High School principal Mr Henry Denner commented on Monday on his school’s involvement in the event. “We want to state categorically that the problem that originated outside the sports grounds was not caused by learners of Louis Trichardt High School,” said Denner. He explained that the disturbance was a result of insufficient control by the principals of the visiting schools.

Denner said that learners disembarking from their buses and started wandering around outside the premises. Some of them went to town and, upon their return, created the problems that were encountered in the street. Denner said that personnel of Louis Trichardt High School immediately contacted the local SAPS when they became aware of the problems, but that not much support was received from the police.

As for why the event was hosted at the local high school, Denner said that as a former Model C-school, Louis Trichardt High School is the only school in the region with all the necessary sports equipment and facilities to host such an event. “If we do not host these events, our learners will have to compete somewhere else, where the facilities are not always available and, as a result, miss out on opportunities,” Denner said.

Besides offering an apology on behalf of the visiting schools, Denner added that the school would look into increased security during events such as last Wednesday’s. In the meantime, the troublemakers have been identified and their various schools have been banned from future sport activities at Louis Trichardt High School until their principals can provide a commitment of definite control measures to be implemented.

Makhado police spokesperson Capt Maano Sadike said this week there was no record of the police attending the scene of the unrest.