Crime
Eastern Cape school shooting claims third teacher’s life
By midweek, the quiet hills of Ntabankulu were carrying a grief that words struggle to hold. What began as a horrifying midday attack at a local primary school has now claimed a third life, after a teacher who had been fighting for survival died while being rushed for urgent medical care.
Provincial police confirmed that the educator succumbed to her injuries during an ambulance transfer to Mthatha Hospital. Paramedics diverted to Madzikane Hospital when her condition worsened, where she was pronounced dead by the attending doctor. With that update, all three teachers wounded in the attack have now been confirmed deceased. All were women.
What happened at the school
According to police, the shooting unfolded just after noon when a former teacher allegedly forced his way onto the school grounds by cutting through the perimeter fence. The incident took place at Ntabankulu Primary School, a rural school that has now become the centre of national mourning.
The suspect, a former educator at the school, was dismissed in 2023 following sexual assault charges and was out on bail at the time. He was declared dead at the scene.
Investigation and next steps
The South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape has opened three counts of murder and one inquest docket. Police have said the names of the deceased teachers will be released once all families have been formally notified.
In a statement, police extended condolences to the families, colleagues, and the wider school community, acknowledging the depth of the loss and the trauma left behind.
A community shaken and a wider reckoning
Across the Eastern Cape, the news has travelled fast and heavy. On social media, educators, parents, and unions have expressed anger, fear, and exhaustion, with many questioning how schools can remain safe spaces amid rising concerns about violence and accountability.
For rural communities like Ntabankulu, schools are often more than classrooms. They are anchors of stability, employment, and hope. The loss of three teachers in a single act has reopened painful conversations about school security, the protection of women in the workplace, and how warning signs are handled when serious allegations surface.
As investigations continue, a community mourns three educators whose lives were cut short while doing the work that holds society together. The questions left behind will not fade quickly.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
