GAUTENG. – Roosevelt High School in Johannesburg ended its 2026 matric farewell at Avianto earlier than planned, after a series of security and conduct issues were reported by the school during the event.
Ms C Venter, school principal, says staff and venue personnel reported that a firearm was allegedly drawn on arrival and pointed at a member of the venue's staff. The school says the identity and accountability of any person will first be established after security footage and other available evidence are reviewed. According to Venter, staff were also allegedly verbally abused by some parents, transporters and learners, while venue personnel were concerned about alleged reckless driving and vehicles revving their engines.
Venter says according to staff, some learners arrived at the event severely under the influence of alcohol. There were allegedly also learners who became ill in bathrooms and other parts of the venue. Staff also noted what she describes as a strong smell associated with cannabis in and around certain areas of the venue.
The principal says the situation escalated to the point where, together with Avianto, the decision was made to end the event early. According to the principal, the decision was aimed at de-escalating the situation and ensuring learners were brought home safely. Staff then remained at the venue to assist learners, including contacting parents when necessary. Some learners waited until after midnight to be collected. The school also tried to obtain police assistance, but Venter says police did not arrive. Avianto's private security service was eventually asked to provide assistance.
Venter says the school will now review available security footage, incident reports and other relevant information. Where evidence points to possible serious misconduct or criminal conduct, the cases concerned can be handled through appropriate disciplinary and legal processes, according to her. An apology has been extended to matric learners who behaved appropriately and whose evening was cut short because of the conduct of others.
"One terrible evening will not define who we are. How we respond to it, will," Venter said.
The school principal's statement, which is in the possession of Nuusflits has since been removed from the school's social media.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
