Shock after learner stabs teacher to death in view of other learners

The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, said that she is appalled at the shocking developments in the North West Province where a 17-year-old learner allegedly stabbed a teacher to death.

She said that the death of 24-year-old, Gadimang Daniel Mokolobate can only be described as an abhorrent travesty.

“It is heart-breaking to lose such a young teacher, who still had so much to offer and so much potential for greatness in such a pointless and tragic manner,” said Minister Motshekga.

Police have apprehended the learner who was allegedly reprimanded the day before by this teacher for a minor incident involving skipping the queue for the National School Nutrition Programme.

The stabbing incident happened in full view of a class that was in the process of writing an examination. The entire school community is shocked by the incident and the province has deployed psycho-social services to the school to provide counselling.

This comes on the heels on another incident in Gauteng where a learner was arrested for pointing a gun at a teacher. The Minister commends the province for the swift action in ensuring that this learner has been immediately suspended upon being released by police.

“We cannot, and will not tolerate delinquency and lawlessness in our schools. We all need to ensure that our schools are safe spaces for learning and teaching. Parents, communities and law enforcement agencies all need to play their role to ensure that together we raise caring, responsible citizens, and that our schools are protected from evil elements that threaten to destabilise them.

"At no time can it be acceptable to bring weapons, or any other prohibited substances such as drugs or alcohol into our schools. Parents need to be vigilant and ensure their children do not leave home and come to school with such,” said Minister Motshekga.

She added that the Department will continue to work closely with police to curb youth delinquency, violence and other social ills from taking hold of our schools.

"We all need to work together to ensure that schools are safe spaces for learners and teachers."