A group of learners and teachers were robbed at gunpoint while attending an overnight study session at Georgetown High School in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday.
KZN Education MEC Mbali Frazer said three armed men allegedly gained entry into Georgetown High School by cutting the fence.
The suspects reportedly held a security guard at gunpoint and demanded keys to the offices.
In a statement Frazer said the security guard and the teachers refused to give the keys to the armed suspects, which led to gunshots being fired at the padlocks in an attempt to open them.
“After several failed attempts to break the padlocks, the gunmen climbed over the wall to gain entry to the classrooms where the learners were busy with the study session. They robbed them of their cellphones and cash,” Frazer said.
She said the pupils were “seriously traumatised by the incident”.
“The community must help the police in identifying these criminals. We must remember that safety in schools is the responsibility of everyone in the community. If these criminals are not arrested, they will continue with their cruelty in our schools and in society,” said Frazer.
She thanked the parents who were able to swiftly make their way to the school to provide the necessary support to the learners.
“Learners were seriously traumatised by the incident and the parents who quickly came to the school played a big role in calming them down so we really want to thank them,” Frazer said.
The department said it would continue to monitor the pupils and provide the necessary support needed.
Source: News24, IOL, The Witness, image from Twitter: @Sandile_Panther