A devastating shooting at Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa has left the community in shock after the principal and an administrative staff member were gunned down on the school grounds. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, has sparked widespread condemnation and urgent calls for justice and increased school safety.
Background
The shooting took place inside the administration block of the school at around 5pm on Tuesday. Staff members, including the 58-year-old principal and a 55-year-old administrator, were preparing for an upcoming meeting when the attack happened. According to early accounts from witnesses, employees in a nearby office heard sudden gunshots and instinctively hid out of fear for their lives.
When the area fell silent, they cautiously emerged, only to discover the two victims lying in the passageway. Emergency services were immediately contacted, but both women were tragically declared dead at the scene.
Main Details
Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhlulwi confirmed that no arrests have yet been made and that investigators are still working to determine the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack. The identities of the victims have not yet been publicly released as authorities work closely with the families and school community.
“The circumstances of the shooting are unknown at this stage pending further investigations,” Nevhuhlulwi stated.
News of the shooting quickly reached provincial leadership. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Education MEC Matome Chiloane arrived at the school Tuesday evening to offer condolences, gather preliminary information, and assess the scene.
Chiloane expressed deep outrage and heartbreak over the killings, emphasizing the emotional trauma inflicted on staff and learners. He described the incident as a “senseless and brutal act committed within a school, a place meant to be a sanctuary for teaching and learning.”
Additional Information / Quotes
Chiloane vowed that the provincial education department would fully support the police investigation and the affected school community. “We want the perpetrator found, arrested, and brought to justice as soon as possible,” he said.
To help the school community cope with the trauma, psychosocial support teams from the Ekurhuleni North District will be deployed starting Wednesday. These teams will provide counselling to learners, teachers, and other staff members.
In addition, employee wellness officials will be stationed on-site to assist workers who were directly or indirectly affected by the tragedy. The department emphasized its commitment to working closely with law enforcement as investigators continue gathering evidence.
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## Conclusion
The tragic shooting at Inxiweni Primary School has left a deep wound in the Tembisa community, raising new concerns about safety within educational environments. As police intensify their search for the perpetrator, the Gauteng Department of Education is focusing on healing, support, and accountability. For now, the community mourns the loss of two dedicated educators whose lives were cut short in an act of senseless violence.
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