The Gauteng Department of Education is mourning two learners killed in separate stabbing incidents days apart, as fresh concerns emerge over safety failures in dozens of schools across the province.
A 17-year-old Grade 8 learner from Forest High School was beaten and stabbed at Rotunda Park after school on March 20 and later died in hospital. In a separate incident, a Grade 12 learner from Daleview Secondary School was stabbed to death while walking home through an open veld in Ennerdale on March 23.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said the Forest High learner sustained severe injuries during the attack and was initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred, where he later succumbed.
“The learner sustained severe injuries during the incident and was initially rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to another hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.”
Mabona said the second learner was attacked while walking between the school and a nearby store, adding that police are investigating both cases. He confirmed that psycho-social support has been mobilised for affected learners, educators and families.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said the deaths have left the department in shock.
“This is a deeply painful loss for our education community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and both school communities affected by these tragedies. Violence against our learners, whether within or outside school premises, is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
“We call on communities to work closely with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, and to stand united in protecting our children so that our schools remain safe spaces for teaching and learning.”
Previously, The Star reported on a deeply troubling pattern of escalating violence in Gauteng schools, with multiple incidents unfolding in rapid succession. On March 12, a Grade 9 learner was fatally stabbed during a fight at Badirile Secondary School in Khutsong.
In another incident in 2025, a learner was stabbed after a group of boys stormed a school in Boksburg, while in August 2025, a principal in West Ridge was stabbed while trying to break up a violent altercation between pupils.
The killings come as the department faces scrutiny over school safety, after it emerged that 34 schools were found to be non-compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act during the 2024/2025 financial year.
In responses to questions posed in the Gauteng Legislature, Chiloane indicated that all schools have safety committees following recent School Governing Body elections, as the department works to strengthen oversight. However, he acknowledged that compliance remains a concern, with dozens of schools still failing to meet required standards.
He further outlined that schools are generally allocated five patrollers, while high-risk schools are assigned a minimum of four, a model that has raised questions about whether resources are aligned with actual risk levels.
On security, the MEC said there are no school-specific contracts in place, with companies deployed based on need. Many schools rely on patrollers under the Expanded Public Works Programme, with security costs varying depending on size and risk, starting from at least R68,000 per month.
Chiloane maintained that the National School Safety Framework remains the blueprint guiding safety measures across schools.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has highlighted a crisis regarding school safety in Gauteng, noting that at least 34 schools are currently non-compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS).
Shadow MEC for Education Sergio Isa Dos Santos expressed concern that thousands of learners remain in unsafe environments due to a lack of meaningful intervention. Consequently, the DA is calling on the department to present a credible plan to ensure regulatory compliance and improve the deployment of security resources across all schools.
The Star
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