The safety of teachers, learners, and staff in Gauteng schools is under grave danger as conditions continue to deteriorate, while Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s administration is not doing enough to address the problem. The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands that the Gauteng Department of Education MEC Matome Chiloane urgently present a credible plan to secure all schools across the province.
The DA’s calls follow a shocking incident where a principal and a staff member at Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa were brutally killed yesterday afternoon, allegedly by masked gunmen inside the school. Initial reports indicate that the gunmen entered the premises after school hours and opened fire in front of other staff members, including the deputy principal.
The DA has long condemned the Gauteng Department of Education’s failures in protecting learners and educators, calling for better protective measures in all schools across the province. Last week, we exposed that the department has quietly removed security guards from numerous schools, leaving educators and learners at even greater risk.
The senseless killings at Inxiweni Primary School validate our long-standing concerns and reinforce the view that our schools have become dangerous zones. Instead of spending on bolstering security at our schools, the Gauteng Provincial Government has spent over R104 million in the past five years paying for rates and taxes for 41 vacant, decaying and underutilised government buildings.
The DA extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Inxiweni Primary School community. We demand an urgent and thorough investigation, followed by swift prosecution of those found responsible for these heinous crimes.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would prioritise school safety as a non-negotiable right. This includes restoring trained security personnel at all schools, ensuring proper access control, installing functional CCTV systems, and strengthening collaboration between SAPS and school communities.