By Doreen Mokgolo
A Grade 6 boy learner at Primrose Hill Primary School in Germiston shot his school principal with a firearm allegedly belonging to his parents on Friday morning.
The 51-year-old principal saw a group of learners sitting in the foyer and instructed them to take out their workbooks and study.
The learner mumbled something in response to the principal’s orders but the principal ignored him. Later that morning he bumped into the learner near the staff room.
The spokesperson for the Gauteng education department, Steve Mabona, said the learner then pulled out a firearm and shot the principal.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that the principal was rushed to hospital where he is recovering from his injuries.
“Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident, however, it is alleged the firearm belongs to the learner’s parents,” Mabona said.
“Our Psycho-Social Support Unit will be dispatched to the school on Monday to provide necessary counselling and trauma support.”
Mabona said the department will take disciplinary action against the learner and also monitor the principal’s condition.
“We are pleading with parents to not refrain from instilling discipline in their children,” said Chiloane.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrest of a 13-year-old learner and said police have launched an investigation to establish the origin of the firearm used by the boy.
“The teenager is expected to appear before [the] Germiston Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of attempted murder,” she said.
Pictured above: A police crime scene.
Image source: Stock
