KZN schools rocked by violence: security guard killed, three matric pupils shot

KwaZulu‑Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has condemned two separate violent incidents at schools in the province after a security officer was reportedly killed during a robbery at Inanda Comprehensive High School and three Grade 12 pupils were shot outside Bukimvelo High School.

What happened

On Friday night, 18 September, a security officer was reportedly killed during a robbery at Inanda Comprehensive High School. The MEC expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased security officer.

Earlier that same Friday, at approximately 4pm, an unknown gunman opened fire on a crowd of pupils leaving Bukimvelo High School in the Ezibayeni Circuit. The pupils had attended a Physical Sciences revision session and were leaving the school premises when the shooting occurred.

Injuries and victims

Three Grade 12 pupils were injured and identified as Mthethwa Khetha, Hadebe Thandolwethu and Mahlaba Sbahle. They were immediately taken to hospital for medical attention.

The department said preliminary information indicated that one pupil sustained a serious arm injury resulting in a fracture, while another suffered injuries to both legs. The department said it would continue to monitor the injured pupils’ condition.

Response and investigation

The KwaZulu‑Natal Department of Education said the matter had been reported to the South African Police Service (Saps) and that investigations were underway. The suspect remained at large at the time of the department’s statement.

The department said its Specialised Needs Education Services (SNES) team would be deployed to Bukimvelo High School on Monday to provide psychological support to pupils, and a team of circuit managers would visit the affected families.

MEC reaction and next steps

Sipho Hlomuka condemned both incidents and said schools must be safe places for learning. The MEC is expected to visit Inanda Comprehensive High School on Monday, 21 September, to engage with school management, staff and relevant stakeholders following the fatal attack.

“We are deeply disturbed by this senseless act of violence against our learners. It is unacceptable that our children should be subjected to gun violence right outside school premises,”

The department reiterated its commitment to working with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen school safety and called on community members with information that could assist investigations to share it with Saps.