Pretoria East – 18 June 2025 — The Gauteng Department of Education has been left reeling after the brutal killing of a Grade 11 learner outside Lesedi Secondary School, located in Lethabong, an informal settlement near Donkerhoek in Pretoria East. The tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, 17 June 2025, just as learners were preparing to head home after a normal school day.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fatal stabbing was carried out by a fellow learner from the same school, identified as a Grade 12 student. According to witnesses, the suspect had not attended school that day but arrived after lessons had ended. Without warning, he allegedly targeted the Grade 11 learner outside the school fence, attacking him in full view of other learners and community members.
Emergency personnel responded quickly to the scene, rushing the injured learner to the nearby Lethabong Healthcare Clinic. Sadly, despite their efforts, he was declared dead upon arrival.
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, and law enforcement authorities have since launched a full investigation to uncover the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation. The identities of both the victim and the suspect are currently being withheld to allow for formal police processes and to respect the privacy of the affected families.
Reacting to the devastating news, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane described the incident as both shocking and heartbreaking. He strongly condemned the violent act, emphasizing that schools should remain spaces of safety, learning, and personal growth—not violence.
“We are truly heartbroken by this senseless act of violence,” said MEC Chiloane in an official statement. “No child should ever lose their life while pursuing an education. Our deepest condolences go to the family of the deceased and to the broader Lesedi Secondary School community. As a department, we will continue to stand against any form of violence within our schools. Learners need to understand that engaging in violence will change their lives forever—and not for the better.”
In the immediate aftermath, the Gauteng Department of Education dispatched a team of psychologists and social workers to provide trauma counselling to affected learners and educators. Officials from the Department’s School Safety Unit have also been deployed to assist the school in enhancing its safety protocols and providing necessary emotional support.
This tragic incident has once again raised serious questions about learner safety in South African schools, particularly in communities facing socio-economic challenges like Lethabong. Concerns continue to mount about violence among learners, with education stakeholders calling for urgent interventions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The police investigation remains ongoing, and no arrests have been confirmed yet. Authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in their investigation.
For now, the community of Lesedi Secondary School mourns the loss of a young life taken too soon.