Mimili Anangu School closes for the second time amid escalating violence in APY Lands

Escalating violence between warring families in an APY Lands community has forced a school to shut down for the second time in six months.

An APY Lands school has been shut down and teachers evacuated from a troubled community for the second time in six months as violence and unrest spiral out of control.

The Mimili Anangu School in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara has been closed since Monday after an incident on Sunday saw teachers flee the community in the latest escalation of violence between feuding families.

Mimili resident Maria Campbell told The Advertiser an influx of alcohol into the community in the past week had led to the violent street brawl.

“The alcohol is a problem,” Ms Campbell said.

“That’s what started all this on Sunday.

“It’s really sad.”

During Ms Campbell’s interview with The Advertiser on Tuesday morning, another violent brawl broke out in the community, with iron bars, sticks and rocks used as weapons.

“There was a lot of blood on the cement,” Ms Campbell said after the incident.

In September, The Advertiser revealed the Mimili Anangu School had been shut down after a violent street brawl erupted.

Ms Campbell said the “chaos” in the community had worsened since that incident.

“They don’t know when to stop,” she said.

“It’s scary and that’s why the teachers have left,” she said.

“They’re not going to want to be here while there’s these issues in community.”

Education Department chief executive Martin Westwell said the school would be closed until Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Education Department chief executive Professor Martin Westwell said the school was expected to remain closed until next Tuesday, with some staff working remotely and being offered wellbeing support.

“We continue to focus on the safety and wellbeing of staff and students,” Prof Westwell said.

Ms Campbell said the number of police officers across the APY Lands meant help often arrived after an incident.

“When back up gets here it’s already over,” she said.

“It’s not safe for us.”

The APY Lands is currently a third short of its police officers required under a controversial staffing model introduced in 2021 which sees officers fly in and out of the Lands to work an eight-day shift.

Under the model, 30 officers were planned to be based at Amata, Mimili, Ernabella Murputja.

However, as of February 9 only 21 officers were based in the section, with SA Police internally advertising for expressions of interest to police the remote area six times in two years.

APY Lands general manager Richard King said a lack of police resources meant conflicts within the community were solved with violence.

“When a lack of that continues, people get hurt,” he said.

“The community have taken it into their own hands.”

An SA Police spokeswoman said three people were injured in the incident and treated locally.

The spokeswoman said police would maintain a presence in Mimili.

No arrests have been made over the incident and investigations are ongoing.