Police rush to APY Lands as violent clash breaks out, TAFE staff locked inside
Two people have been charged after a violent clash between family groups erupted in a remote APY Lands community, forcing TAFE staff to lock themselves inside for safety.
Two people have been charged after a violent clash erupted between family groups in a remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands community.
Police units from across the APY Lands were called to the town of Pukatja, formerly known as Ernabella, located north of Mount Willoughby, just after midday on Tuesday, following reports of a fight involving sticks and rocks being hurled as tensions flared between families.
TAFE staff were forced to barricade themselves indoors before being taken out by officers, as the town’s two local businesses to close their doors as tensions boiled over.
A 28-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were arrested and charged with assault causing serious harm.
SA Police said both the man and woman were initially refused police bail, but it was later granted following a review into their bail agreements.
The pair are expected to appear in the Coober Pedy Magistrates Court on November 3.
A SA police spokesperson said police continued to liaise with the community, and investigations into the unrest and any offences committed were ongoing.
“At this time, further resources from Adelaide have not been deployed,” they said on Wednesday.
The Department for Education said they were aware that there was unrest in the community.
“Out of an abundance of caution the school enacted its lockdown procedures yesterday (Tuesday), however the unrest did not directly impact the school or staff and the school is open today (Wednesday),” a spokeswoman said.
Jennie-Marie Gorman, president of the Australian Education Union’s SA branch, said they had reached out to staff at the Ernabella school in the aftermath of the unrest.
“We spoke with our members in Ernabella last night and are thankful that educators and others on the school grounds remain safe,” she said.
“The unrest in the community reflects deeper, systemic issues of poverty and intergenerational trauma. While the events were not connected to the school or TAFE, their impact is felt by the educators and the children and students they support every day.
“These pressures only compound the broader challenges facing public education, including a growing shortage of teachers and support staff.
“Violence is not confined to remote or regional communities.
“Educators across metropolitan, regional, and rural areas are reporting increased instances of workplace violence in both public and private education settings.
“This is a system-wide issue that demands a system-wide response.”
The small town of Pukatja is home to about 600 people, it has a roadhouse, school, church, store, arts centre and health clinic.
The community has faced ongoing unrest over the past two years.
Mimili Anangu School closed twice in 2024 amid escalating family violence, and in June residents called for more police after arson attacks and ongoing unrest.
