Two pupils killed and three injured in KwaZulu‑Natal school shooting, MEC confirms

Two pupils were killed and three others seriously injured in a shooting in KwaZulu‑Natal, the provincial education department confirmed on Tuesday. The incident occurred as the pupils were making their way to school, the department said.

Attack on learners walking to school

KwaZulu‑Natal education MEC Sipho Hlomuka confirmed the deaths and said a group of gunmen accosted the pupils and opened fire. According to the department, the shooting took place on Tuesday morning while the pupils were en route to school.

The department said three pupils sustained serious injuries. It has activated psychosocial support for affected pupils, teachers and families, and the matter has been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Official response and appeals

Hlomuka conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased, the injured pupils, their schools and affected communities. He described the shooting as a “senseless and cowardly act of violence.”

“This is a senseless and cowardly act of violence. Our children should be able to walk to school without fearing for their lives. Schools must remain places of safety, learning and hope,”

The MEC urged anyone with information that could lead to the perpetrators’ arrest to contact the relevant authorities and called on communities, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to work with law‑enforcement agencies to protect children.

Related incident at Bukimvelo High School

The latest shooting follows an incident at Bukimvelo High School on 18 September, when three Grade 12 pupils were shot and injured after leaving a Physical Sciences revision session. The department said the gunman opened fire on a crowd of pupils shortly after 4pm.

The injured pupils from Bukimvelo High were identified as Mthethwa Khetha, Hadebe Thandolwethu and Mahlaba Sbahle. They were taken to hospital for medical attention. Preliminary information indicated one pupil sustained a serious arm injury resulting in a fracture, while another suffered injuries to both legs.

Hlomuka said the department would continue monitoring the injured pupils’ conditions and provide support to their families. The department’s Specialised Needs Education Services team was scheduled to provide psychological support to the Bukimvelo High School community, and circuit managers were due to visit the affected families. Police investigations into the Bukimvelo shooting are under way, with the suspect still at large, according to the department.

What happens next

The education department has asked communities to assist law‑enforcement efforts and said support services are being provided to those affected by both incidents.