Gauteng education MEC condemns fatal shooting of Michael Zulu Primary teacher

A 29-year-old teacher from Michael Zulu Primary School in Tsakane was shot dead while walking to school with pupils on Monday, 3 August 2026, at about 7am, Gauteng education authorities said.

What happened

Preliminary information says the teacher was attacked while walking alongside a group of pupils at the corner of Dunge and Masinga Streets, less than one kilometre from the school.

Official response and investigation

Gauteng Education MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile condemned the killing. Maile’s spokesperson, Onwabile Lubhelwana, said the motive for the shooting remains unknown and the South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened an investigation.

“On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, MEC Maile extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, his colleagues, pupils and the entire Michael Zulu Primary School community. The loss of a teacher is a profound tragedy, not only for the school but for society as a whole. Teachers dedicate their lives to nurturing, mentoring and preparing the next generation, and no family or school should have to endure such a devastating loss,”

Support for the school community

The Gauteng Education Department said it has rolled out full psychosocial support, deploying trauma teams to assist pupils, mobilising staff support structures and arranging counselling through the PMD Unit. The department said it is working closely with the slain teacher’s family to ensure they receive ongoing care.

Calls for community action

Maile described the incident as a “tragic incident” and said it is a reminder that fighting crime cannot be left to law enforcement alone.

“It requires a united societal response. Through our ‘It Takes a Village to Raise a Child’ community outreach campaign, the Gauteng Department of Education continues to mobilise parents, communities, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, community policing forums, civil society and all spheres of government to work together to combat criminality, protect pupils and teachers, and create safer environments in and around our schools,”

“Safe schools can only exist in safe communities. An attack on a teacher is an attack on the future of our children and on the values that bind our communities together,”

Maile also called on residents to reject criminality, cooperate with law enforcement authorities, report those responsible for violent crime and play an active role in safeguarding schools and neighbourhoods. Lubhelwana said Maile urged anyone with information that may assist the investigation to cooperate fully with SAPS so that those responsible are brought to justice.

Department commitment

The Gauteng Department of Education said it will continue to support the Michael Zulu Primary School community during this difficult period and remains committed to working with stakeholders to ensure that pupils and teachers can learn and work in safe and secure environments.