The MEC for Education in Gauteng, Lebogang Maile, says schools must be sacred spaces for learning and teaching, where criminality or violence has no place.
This follows two recent incidents involving gunfire at Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra, and outside Waverley Girls’ High School.
Iphutheng Primary School, Waverley Girls High
Last week, at Iphutheng Primary School, armed suspects allegedly entered the school premises during a robbery. They reportedly fired several warning shots, sending learners and educators to flee for safety. One learner was taken to hospital. The department said the circumstances surrounding the hospitalisation remain under investigation.
In a separate incident outside Waverley Girls’ High School, armed suspects allegedly hijacked a vehicle near the school’s entrance before firing shots into the air and fleeing.
Maile condemned both incidents, describing them as an attack on the safety and constitutional right to education of learners.
“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,” Maile said.
Collaboration in ensuring safe school environments
While investigations into the two incidents continue, Maile said the department would continue strengthening school safety through partnerships with South African Police Service (SAPS), Community Policing Forums, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, municipal law enforcement, School Governing Bodies, parents and local communities. The MEC said this forms part of broader efforts to combat gangsterism, dangerous weapons, substance abuse and other forms of criminality affecting schools.
He further called on on communities to play a more active role in helping protect school environments.
“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.”
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- Armed suspects entered Iphutheng Primary School during a robbery last week, firing warning shots and causing learners and educators to flee, with one learner hospitalised.
- Near Waverley Girls' High School, armed suspects hijacked a vehicle and fired shots into the air before fleeing the scene.
- MEC for Education in Gauteng, Lebogang Maile, condemned both incidents as attacks on the safety and constitutional right to education of learners.
- The Gauteng Education Department is partnering with SAPS, Community Policing Forums, municipal law enforcement, parents, and communities to strengthen school safety.
- Maile urged communities to actively participate in protecting schools, emphasizing collective responsibility through reporting criminal activity and supporting law enforcement.
