Cape Town – An acting principal at Northview High School in Johannesburg was shot six times in his office on Tuesday by two unidentified men who entered the school under the pretense of discussing tree felling.
The Gauteng Education department confirmed the incident in a statement and said that the men opened fire on the principal and fled the scene.
He was rushed to a medical facility and is currently in ICU.
Provincial Education MEC Matome Chiloane expressed shock at the violence and said that the department is offering trauma counseling to affected students and staff. The police are investigating the incident.
“According to information at our disposal, two unidentified armed men entered the school premises on Tuesday morning under the guise of seeing the acting principal to give him a quotation for tree felling.
“The men then reportedly entered the acting principal’s office and suddenly opened fire at him, hitting him six times before fleeing the scene. The acting principal was rushed to a medical facility, where he is currently in ICU,” Chiloane said.
MEDIA STATEMENT
A female IsiXhosa NSC exam paper marker sadly passed away after an accident at Alberton Marking Centre, and the Acting Principal of Northview High is currently in ICU after being shot 6 times on school premises. pic.twitter.com/BEZsK5pJsR
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) December 4, 2024
He added: “As the Department, we are deeply shocked by this brazen act of violence and lawlessness, which not only targeted a school leader but undermined the sanctity of our educational institution. We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the acting principal, his family, and the school community during this difficult time, and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
In a separate event, a 50-year-old woman, an NSC exam marker at the Alberton marking centre, tragically died after tripping and hitting her head on a pole.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
