Picture: A school principal shot
By STAFF REPORTER
May 2026 – The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries has written tob the Eastern Cape MEC for Education, Fundile Gade to seek clarity on a shooting incident that allegedly happened at Zanokhanyo High School in Ngcobo, just outside Mthatha. The committee condemned the shocking incident and said the violence targeting educators and school principals is one of the worst forms of violence in their schools.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Makhi Feni said these criminals are so brazen that they gate-crash schools during the day. Feni said they have taken the step to write to Gade to seek a report on what has happened.
“This incident cannot be taken as normal and everyone moves on the following day. School safety should be a priority, given the extent to which criminals have organised and are seeking to target schools.
“Last year, we had incidents of extortion inside schools in the Eastern Cape province. Another alleged shooting occurred at Khanyolwethu Secondary School on Tuesday. The committee has sought clarity on whether counselling will be offered to the school’s learners and educators,” he said.
Feni further said he gave the Eastern Cape Department of Education a week to submit a report on the matter. He added that they accept that the principal survived the incident, but that does not stop the committee from asking questions and holding those responsible for school safety accountable.
“We had hoped this year would be incident-free for the governance and safety of schools in the Eastern Cape. All incidents targeting school principals are condemned with the utmost disgust,” said Feni.
The Guardian 