JOHANNESBURG – Three young people have been killed and two others critically injured in a gang-related shooting in Westbury, Johannesburg, on Monday.
The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed that at least one of the victims was a learner from R.W. Fick Secondary School. The victims, aged between 18 and 23, were found shot in a residential flat. The South African Police Service is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Education MEC Lebogang Maile expressed condolences to the families affected and said the proliferation of dangerous weapons in the hands of young people requires urgent attention from society.
“We are deeply concerned about the pain being experienced by families who have lost their children and those whose children have been injured,” Maile said.
Gang violence disrupts learning
The ongoing violence has affected teaching and learning at several schools in Westbury. Learners have been unable to attend school or write scheduled school-based assessment common papers and preliminary examinations because of the unsafe environment.
Maile confirmed that learners who missed assessments will be given an opportunity to write. “No learner should be academically prejudiced by circumstances beyond their control,” he said.
The department has strengthened psychosocial support for learners, educators and families affected by violence. The Teddy Bear Foundation is providing trauma debriefing and child-protection support to affected learners, staff and families.
Affected learners, educators and parents can access Childline South Africa’s 24-hour toll-free helpline on 116 for counselling and support. School-based psychosocial programmes will continue supporting learners affected by violence and those identified as vulnerable or at risk.
Community under siege
Westbury residents have described the area as a war zone, with daily barrages of gunfire from gangs using high-calibre automatic weapons. Earlier this month, community members led by Bishop Dulton Adams marched to demand urgent government intervention and stronger intelligence-driven policing.
In March, five people including a 15-month-old baby were shot in a gang-related attack, prompting calls for the deployment of the defence force in the area. Residents have said the military presence was temporary and failed to provide a lasting solution.
The department said police have maintained a visible presence in the area.
Safety measures in place
School safety interventions will continue, with the head office school safety unit and district officials monitoring conditions in affected schools. Circuit management teams will monitor stability at schools daily.
“Operations in affected schools will be guided by the security situation on the ground. The safety of learners, educators, support staff and district officials remains paramount,” Maile said.
The department remains concerned about possible retaliatory violence and heightened tensions within the community. Maile appealed to parents, communities and young people to protect children and schools from violence.
“Whatever conflicts exist outside school gates must never be allowed to endanger children or rob them of their right to education,” he said.
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