Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has urged urgent police and health investigations into a product called ‘scrubs’ being consumed by pupils, and warned against reckless reporting.
Two pupils were killed and three seriously injured in a KwaZulu‑Natal shooting as they walked to school, the provincial education MEC confirmed. Investigations are under way.
KwaZulu‑Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka condemns two attacks: a security officer killed at Inanda Comprehensive and three Grade 12 pupils shot outside Bukimvelo High School.
Social Development Minister Dina Pule and Eastern Cape MEC Bukiwe Fanta condemned violence after 16-year-old Siphosethu Jack was fatally stabbed in a Dimbaza classroom.
A 15-year-old Grade 7 learner died after contact with an exposed cable at Mokutupi Primary School. Family and education officials call for investigation and safety checks.
A 53-year-old scholar transport driver was shot dead in Westbury after a school drop-off on 7 September 2026. Police have launched a manhunt for two suspects.
Gauteng MEC Lebogang Maile joined police searches at six Vaal schools on Sept 2; 123 prohibited items including vapes, knives and a space cookie were recovered.
Search-and-seizure operations at six Gauteng schools recovered 123 prohibited items, including 43 disposable vapes and 30 oil spice samples, the education MEC said.
CCTV captured an armed hijacking outside SRS Primary School in Overport. According to IOL, the Audi was later found stripped and damaged in KwaMashu.
Police-led searches at 17 Gauteng schools uncovered nyaope, abortion pills and large quantities of dagga as department steps up safety operations.