A 13-year-old teenager is expected to appear before the Germiston Magistrates’ Court soon on a charge of attempted murder.
This after he was arrested on Friday morning after he reportedly shot his principal at the Primrose Hill Primary School in Germiston.
“The 51-year-old principal has since been taken to a local hospital.
“Circumstances that led to the shooting are unknown at this stage as police have launched an investigation to also establish the origin of the firearm which is seized by the police,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.
According to the Gauteng Education Department spokesperson, Steve Mabona, the incident is reported to have occurred when the principal saw learners sitting in the foyer and instructed to take out their workbooks to study.
“The Grade 6 boy learner allegedly mumbled something in response, but the principal ignored him.
“He saw the learner again later near the staff room, which is when he was unfortunately shot by him with a firearm,” said Mabona.
He added that the department’s Psycho-Social Support Unit will visit the school on Monday, to provide necessary counselling and trauma support, while the Employee Wellness will also assist the principal and employees at the school following this traumatic incident.
Mabona said it is suspected that the firearm belonged to the child’s parent.
MEC Matome Chiloane condemned the principal shooting and that he is deeply devastated by the incident.
“Indeed, we are taken aback by the nature of this incident and the manner in which it occurred, and we discourage such acts of misconduct at our schools.
“We will be invoking necessary disciplinary action against the learner, while also monitoring the principal’s condition to ensure that he returns to full health.
“Our plea is for parents to not refrain from instilling discipline in their children,” pleaded Chiloane.
Meanwhile, Education Activist Hendrick Makaneta is calling on the government to find ways to protect teachers and principals in schools.
“The levels of crime in schools continue to rise at an alarming rate. The government must find a way to protect teachers and principals from unruly elements.
“There is no doubt that the criminal conduct that ĺ are exposed to in communities ends up cripping into schools,” said Makaneta.