Two educators were shot in Gauteng's East Rand on 13 April 2026, one fatally, highlighting a pattern of violence against school principals and senior staff. The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union has described the attacks as targeted, linked to governance and finances. School leaders report living in constant fear amid inadequate security.
On 13 April 2026, Tshepo Mankge, a 20-year veteran teacher at Barcelona Primary School, was shot dead in Daveyton while walking to work in front of his children. Hours later in Vosloorus, Kenneth Mandoyi, acting principal at Lethulwazi Comprehensive School, was critically wounded by gunfire just 2km from the school.
Sadtu spokesperson Nomsa Cembi called the incidents 'ghastly' and part of a growing pattern in Ekurhuleni. 'Since 2023, nearly 10 educators have lost their lives in the region alone, yet justice continues to evade the victims,' she said.
Previous cases include the 2022 killing of deputy principal Thembisile Ngendane in Tembisa, the 2024 murders of Serake Mogoswane and Sipho Nhlengedwa in Daveyton, and the 2025 shootings at Inxiweni Primary and Samit Christian Academy. Arrests have occurred in the latter two, including deputy principal Themba Diwajo for conspiracy and financial clerk Mokgadi Hope Shongwe among others.
Cembi pointed to financial accountability, promotion rivalries, and extortion rackets as drivers. An anonymous Tembisa principal said, 'It is a career that makes you worry every morning,' citing poor security from untrained patrollers.
In 2025, the Gauteng Department of Education ended private security at high-risk schools due to costs of R13.8-million monthly, as stated by former MEC Matome Chiloane. Sadtu urges prioritising these cases for safety and education.