By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The Gauteng Department of Education has deployed trauma support teams to Michael Zulu Primary School after an educator was shot dead while walking alongside a group of learners less than a kilometre from the Tsakane school.
The District Integrated School Support Team is providing trauma debriefing to affected learners, while other departmental teams have met educators and staff and arranged counselling for the educator’s family.
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The 29-year-old educator was attacked at the corner of Dunge and Masinga streets at about 7 am on Monday while on his way to school.
“The motive for the shooting remains unknown,” the department said.
The South African Police Service has opened an investigation into the killing.
Gauteng MEC for Education Lebogang Maile expressed shock and sadness following the shooting.
“On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, MEC Maile extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, his colleagues, learners and the entire Michael Zulu Primary School community.”
The department said the loss of an educator was a profound tragedy, not only for the school but for society as a whole.
It said educators dedicated their lives to nurturing, mentoring and preparing the next generation, and no family or school should have to endure such a loss.
“The District Integrated School Support Team was deployed to provide trauma debriefing to affected learners, while the Circuit Team, the Integrated School Support Programme (ISSP) and Safe Schools Management met with educators and staff to provide support and outline the Department’s response,” the department said.
“Further psychosocial support has been arranged through the PMD Unit, while the Department is also working closely with the educator’s family to ensure they receive the necessary counselling and support.”
The department said the incident was a painful reminder that the fight against crime could not be left to law enforcement agencies alone and required a united societal response.
Through its “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” community outreach campaign, the department said it continued to mobilise parents, communities, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, community policing forums, civil society and all spheres of government to combat crime and protect learners and educators.
“Safe schools can only exist in safe communities.”
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The department called on residents to reject criminality, cooperate with law enforcement authorities, report those responsible for violent crime and play an active role in safeguarding schools and neighbourhoods.
“An attack on an educator is an attack on the future of our children and on the values that bind our communities together.”
Maile urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to cooperate fully with SAPS so those responsible could be brought to justice.
“The Department will continue to support the school community during this difficult period and remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that every learner and every educator can learn and work in an environment that is safe, secure and conducive to quality education,” it said.
