Sadtu in KZN concerned about recent shootings in schools

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) in KwaZulu-Natal has expressed deep concerns following a series of recent school shootings in the province. These incidents have reportedly had a profoundly negative psychological impact on both students and educators.

On a tragic Thursday, two teenagers lost their lives and three others sustained critical injuries after gunmen attacked a gathering of young people at a house in Bester, a suburb north of Durban. The same day, a security guard was fatally shot during a robbery at Inanda Comprehensive High School. The most recent incident occurred on September 14, when a grade 10 learner was shot and killed inside Kwandengezi Intermediate School, allegedly by a perpetrator disguised as a fellow student.

Sadtu Provincial Secretary Nomarashiya Caluza delivered a sobering assessment of the situation, stating, “Teachers and learners feel overwhelmed, anxious and are deeply affected by the crisis that we are currently confronted with. It is impossible that teaching and learning can continue as if nothing happened.” Caluza emphasized the urgent need for all stakeholders, particularly the Department of Education, to provide comprehensive support to teachers, especially psychosocial assistance, which is critically required by the educational workforce in light of these traumatic events.