The Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, has strongly condemned two deeply disturbing criminal incidents reported at and near public schools in Gauteng, describing them as a direct attack on the safety, wellbeing and constitutional right to basic education of learners.
The first incident occurred at Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra, where armed suspects allegedly entered the school premises during a robbery. Preliminary reports indicate that several warning shots were fired, causing panic among learners and educators. Learners and staff reportedly fled for safety, while one learner was taken to hospital. The circumstances surrounding the learner’s hospitalisation remain under investigation. The South African Police Service (SAPS) responded to the scene and investigations are underway.
The second incident occurred outside Waverley Girls’ High School, where an alleged hijacking reportedly took place near the school gates. It is alleged that armed suspects fired shots into the air before fleeing the scene, leaving learners traumatised. Reports further suggest that, during the unfolding incident, learners remained outside the school premises while law enforcement responded to the situation. The Department is engaging the school management to establish the full facts surrounding these allegations and to determine whether all appropriate safety protocols were followed.
“We condemn these senseless acts of criminality in the strongest possible terms. Schools are sacred spaces dedicated to teaching and learning and must never become theatres of violence, fear or intimidation. Criminals who threaten the safety of our children, educators and school communities have no place in our society and must face the full might of the law,” said MEC Maile.
The MEC has directed departmental officials to work closely with the affected schools, district offices, SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that learning and teaching continue with minimal disruption. The Department has also dispatched psychosocial support teams and trauma counselling personnel to provide immediate emotional and psychological support to learners, educators and staff affected by these incidents.
The Department remains committed to strengthening school safety through ongoing partnerships with SAPS, Community Policing Forums, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, municipal law enforcement, School Governing Bodies, parents and local communities. These efforts complement the Department’s ongoing school safety interventions aimed at combating gangsterism, dangerous weapons, substance abuse and all forms of criminality affecting schools.
MEC Maile further called on all sectors of society to stand shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement agencies in protecting schools and children from crime.
“The safety of our children cannot be the responsibility of government alone. It requires all of us to work together. In the spirit of our campaign, ‘It Takes a Village to Raise a Child,’ we call on parents, community members, faith-based organisations, Community Policing Forums, neighbourhood watches, businesses and every law-abiding citizen to support SAPS and other law enforcement agencies by reporting criminal activity, sharing information and helping to safeguard our schools. Together, we can ensure that every learner is able to learn in a safe, secure and conducive environment,” said MEC Maile.
As investigations into both incidents continue, the Department will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities and provide further updates as verified information becomes available.