Understanding school violence : comments on Szabo and Potterton

Abstract

In two recent editorials published - in the African Journal of Psychiatry - on the high school samurai sword slaying in Krugersdorp last year, Szabo and Potterton made some clear-headed comments about the events that do (or don't) drive a teenager to commit a school rampage shooting, spree slashing, or other sort of violent, dramatic crime in a public venue. Both highlight the fact that South African society is not new to violence; we are after all, considered one of the most violent societies in the world. Violent crimes, including homicides and family murders, are part of our daily lives. However this incident, possibly because of its bizarre execution, has captured the country's attention.