A shooting incident in Besters, KwaMashu, Durban, has left two pupils dead and three others fighting for their lives. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning when a group of approximately five boys and girls, aged between 16 and 18 years old, were allegedly smoking inside a house. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lt-Col Paul Magwaza said unknown suspects entered the house and opened fire on them.
According to Lt-Col Magwaza, a 16-year-old male died on the scene, and another 16-year-old female was declared deceased upon arrival at the hospital. Three more victims are still receiving medical attention in hospital. The Ntuzuma police have opened a case docket with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. The motive for the attack is yet to be established.
KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Sipho Hlomuka expressed his sadness over the shooting incident. He said the learners were accosted by a group of gunmen who opened fire with no provocation. Hlomuka described the incident as a "senseless and cowardly act of violence." He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased learners, the injured, their schools, and the affected communities.
Hlomuka repeated a call for communities, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to work with law enforcement to protect children. He emphasized that schools must remain places of safety, learning, and hope, and that children should be able to walk to school without fearing for their lives.
This incident is not an isolated case, as a pupil was allegedly shot and killed in Pinetown, west of Durban, last week. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said KwaNdengezi police had opened a case of murder after a 19-year-old pupil was shot and killed inside the Ndengezi Intermediate School premises.
The motive for the killing in Pinetown remains under investigation. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of learners in schools and the need for increased security measures. The KwaZulu-Natal education department has urged stakeholders to work together to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The police are still investigating the incidents and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. The community is urged to cooperate with the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. The families of the victims have been affected by these senseless acts of violence, and support is being offered to them.
Key points
- Two pupils were killed and three others injured in a shooting incident in Besters, KwaMashu, Durban.
- The motive for the attack is yet to be established, and the police are still investigating the incident.
- KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has called for communities to work with law enforcement to protect children.
