By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Service are investigating the shooting of a principal, by a grade 6 pupil, at Primrose Hill Primary School in Germiston, in the east of Johannesburg.
Fullview understands the principal was shot and wounded after he instructed a group of pupils who sat in the foyer to take out their workbooks to study.
Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the teen faces a charge of attempted murder.
“Circumstances that led to the shooting are unknown at this stage as police have launched an investigation to also establish the origin of the firearm which is seized by the police”.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the grade 6 pupil did not take the instructions kindly, but the principal ignored him.
The 51-year-old principal was rushed to a nearby hospital.
“Our Psycho-Social Support Unit will visit the school on Monday, 19 February 2024, to provide necessary counselling and trauma support. Employee Wellness will also assist the principal and employees at the school following this traumatic incident,” Mabona said.
Matome Chiloane, the MEC for education in Gauteng, said he was devastated by the incident.
“We are taken aback by the nature of this incident and the manner in which it occurred, and we discourage such acts of misconduct at our schools,” Chiloane said.
“We will be invoking necessary disciplinary action against the learner while also monitoring the principal’s condition to ensure that he returns to full health.
The pupil is set to appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court soon.