Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta, has expressed shock and sadness over the fatal shooting of three educators at Ntabankulu Primary School. A 52-year-old former deputy principal opened fire randomly in a classroom before turning the gun on himself. He had been dismissed from the school in 2023 for alleged sexual misconduct involving learners.
The shooting incident occurred on January 23, 2026, at Ntabankulu Primary School in the Eastern Cape, where three educators were fatally shot by a former deputy principal. The 52-year-old man fired randomly in a classroom before taking his own life. Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development Bukiwe Fanta voiced her shock at the tragedy, and the Education MEC plans to visit the school.
Department spokesperson Mzukisi Solani stated: “There’s always a legitimate expectation that schools should be safe spaces for conducive teaching and learning. Therefore, they cannot be turned into war zones where educators and learners have got to scurry for cover against shootings. The MEC believes that this tragedy must not deter parents, teachers and learners from reporting incidents of sexual misconduct by educators, because by remaining silent against such acts, that will undermine the collective efforts against sexual abuse of children by educators.”
All three educators succumbed to their injuries, with the third dying in Mthatha Hospital. The shooter had been dismissed in 2023 over allegations of sexual misconduct with learners. Authorities are urged to review school security to prevent similar incidents.