A schoolteacher at Parkvale Primary School in Newlands West, Durban, was traumatized after an armed hijacking incident on Wednesday.
Four armed men confronted the teacher, driving a Hyundai 120. Adding to the terror, it is reported that a gun was pointed at a pupil during the ordeal. The perpetrators subsequently stole the teacher’s Mercedes C180.
Provincial education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi confirmed the unfortunate incident. He stated, “We have just received the communication and we are still trying to get the correct information.”
Mahlambi emphasized that attacks at schools continue to pose significant threats to both teachers and students. He added, “It’s a worrying trend because not so long ago, teachers were accosted and dispossessed of their belongings.”
Such incidents are a severe challenge for the education sector, especially when educators feel unsafe commuting to work or fear being robbed.
The continuous threat to educators’ safety is more than a personal security issue—it impacts the educational environment as a whole. According to Mahlambi, “If we use public transport, teachers will arrive late at school.”
The sense of insecurity may also dampen the morale of both teachers and students, thereby disrupting the learning atmosphere.
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Regrettably, this is not an isolated case. In July, Dudu Khumalo, a 46-year-old Grade R teacher at Phikiswayo Primary in Ntuzuma, north of Durban, tragically lost her life after being shot multiple times just as classes were about to begin.
A day later, Mukelani Primary School in Kwamashu was stormed by criminals who robbed teachers of their personal belongings. Despite these terrifying incidents, police responses to inquiries have been notably delayed.
