The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has strongly condemned a series of violent attacks on educators in Ekurhuleni schools, describing the incidents as part of a growing safety crisis that violates teachers’ rights and undermines the education system.
SADTU spokesperson Nomusa Cembi detailed two separate attacks that occurred on Monday. In the first incident, a teacher at Barcelona Primary School was walking to school with his children when he was shot at. Nothing was taken from him, leading the union to believe it was a targeted “hit.” In the second case, an acting deputy principal and acting principal at a school in Vosloorus was shot at while driving home from work.
Cembi noted that since 2023, no fewer than 10 teachers have been targeted in the Ekurhuleni area. She emphasized, however, that such attacks are not limited to the region and appear to be occurring countrywide.
When asked about possible motives, Cembi said the reasons remain unclear. She expressed frustration that most cases are not thoroughly investigated, with few arrests or prosecutions. The only recent case that saw progress involved the principal of Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa, where a finance clerk and several others were arrested and have appeared in court. That matter is still ongoing.
Possible factors raised by the union include disputes related to school finances, instances of extortion where principals are forced to pay “protection fees” to criminals, and attempts to influence recruitment processes for teaching positions. Cembi acknowledged that the practice of demanding bribes — sometimes referred to as “teaching posts for cash” — is prevalent in some public schools. SADTU has condemned this corruption, saying it allows unethical practices to enter the system and may contribute to the violence. However, she stressed that the union cannot conclude it is the sole cause, given the lack of proper investigations.
The spokesperson highlighted that attacks do not only occur on school premises but also target teachers while they are commuting to or from school, making protection more challenging. While some schools have security guards, these measures have not always proven effective, as evidenced by incidents where criminals still gained access.
Cembi called for a broader response beyond just school security. She urged the criminal justice and security clusters to prioritize these cases and conduct thorough investigations. She also appealed to communities around schools to actively report suspicious activities that could endanger teachers and learners, emphasizing that schools are integral parts of their communities.
“Teachers are critical people in society because of the role they play in building the futures of learners in this country,” Cembi said, adding that the union wants to see concrete action so these incidents can be addressed once and for all.
SADTU maintains that without swift arrests and proper investigations, the safety of educators will continue to deteriorate, with serious implications for teaching and learning across the country.